Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka's most prolific run scorer in Test cricket, has been recalled for Sri Lanka's forthcoming tour of England after proving his fitness to the national selectors.
The selectors, who picked a 16-man squad earlier in the week which is now awaiting clearance from the Sports Ministry, had given De Silva an fitness ultimatum in January, demanding that he get in shape if he wanted to be considered for the three Test tour.
De Silva played the last of his 89 Tests against England last March before falling out of favour with the previous selection panel, whose fears over his commitment appeared justified when he missed a training camp before India's tour of Sri Lanka.
He was dropped for India's tour of Sri Lanka and his waistline bulged. With Sanath Jayasuriya's side beginning an unprecedented run of success in his absence, he looked set to slip quietly into retirement.
But the 36 year old made it clear he wanted to return to the national side during a passionate speech at a felicitation ceremony organised by his club to celebrate his glittering career, which has seen him score 5952 runs at 41.92, including 19 Test centuries.
Fortunately for him, a new selection committee headed by former Sri Lanka captain Michael Tissera was appointed in January. They realised his potential value in England, where he played two seasons of county cricket for Kent, and swiftly recalled him into the training squad.
De Silva returned to the gym and starting a grueling fitness programme under the guidance of physio Alex Kontouri. In three months he shed seven kilos whilst also scoring heavily in domestic cricket to book himself a berth in the side.
The selectors have picked eight batsmen for the tour, including De Silva and the established top seven. De Silva will be competing with Thilan Samaraweera, and possibly Russel Arnold, for a place in the final XI when the first Test starts on May 16 at Lords.
The rest of the squad is expected to include six fast bowlers, only one specialist spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan and a reserve wicket-keeper, either Prassana Jayawardene or Romesh Kaluwitharana.
Four of the six fast bowlers picked themselves – Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Buddika Fernando and Dilhara Fernando – whilst the remaining two places could go to left-arm fast bowler Ruchira Perera and right-armer Pulasthi Gunaratne, who has just be included in Sharjah Squad.
Probable squad:
Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jaywardene, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Thilan Samaraweera, Hashan Tillakaratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa, Ruchira Perera, Buddika Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne.
© CricInfo Ltd
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