Sri Lanka's five-member selection panel has been sacked, after their decision to drop Marvan Atapattu for the second Test against Zimbabwe. Former captain Michael Tissera will head a new committee, which will also include the former Test cricketers Mahesh Goonatilleke, Don Anurasiri and Roger Wijesuriya. Atapattu, whose schizophrenic Test career includes five double-centuries and 17 ducks, was reinstated at the last minute by sports minister Johnston Fernando, after a player revolt was threatened.

"The selection was done over the phone without a look at the pitch," said Fernando, "and without even consulting the captain and the coach.

Three of the selectors resigned immediately after the furore, but Fernando was unequivocal about the need for change.

"It is not fair to allow the previous committee to continue following their controversial decision."

Atapattu went on to score just nine runs in the second Test, but Sri Lanka, inspired by Muttiah Muralitharan's 13-wicket haul, overwhelmed Zimbabwe by an innings and 94 runs.

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