Sanath Jayasuriya recalled

9 June 2011 02:30 am - 58 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Channaka de Silva

Legendary Sanath Jayasuriya will make a welcome return to the Sri Lanka T20 and One Day International fold as the national selectors picked the former Sri Lanka captain yesterday to join the squad for the series against England starting on June 25 with aT20 at Bristol. The series also features five ODIs against England and one ODI each against Ireland and Scotland.

The exciting left hander who has thrilled the crowds around the world with his explosive stroke play, returns to Sri Lanka team after a one-and-a half year absence, having last represented the country in December 2009 against India at Delhi.

The experienced left hander who turns 42 on June 30, has established a plethora of World records in a 22-year international career that began in 1989, and played a major role in Sri Lanka’s rise as one of the strongest forces in world cricket, during a crucial transition period.

“I am doing my training as seriously as I’ve ever done in my career and my fitness levels are as good as I’ve been at 18. I am prepared always and am confident of what I can do” Jayasuriya told “Daily Mirror” in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Jayasuriya who has been in great form in the recent domestic Provincial limited overs tournament emerging as the highest scorer was unfortunate to miss out on a place in the Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, but looked a certainty after left hand opener Upul Tharanga had to be left out of consideration for selection due to an alleged doping offence.

Following Sri Lanka’s swashbuckling captain Tillakaratne Dilshan sustaining a hairline fracture in his thumb during the second Test that finished at Lord’s on Tuesday, Jayasuriya became the obvious choice as the first opener yesterday.National selectors have picked 16 players for the tour squad including all rounder Angelo Mathews subject to fitness.

Interestingly the selectors have opted to include another left handed opener in the squad Dimuth Karunaratne. The 23 year old SSC opener has come through the ranks of Sri Lanka Under 19 team and is incidentally the third player in the squad to come from St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. The promising youngster has been in terrific form right through the recent domestic competitions.

Selectors have also made a sensational decision to appoint left hander Thilina Kandamby as the Vice Captain of the team while all rounder although Kumar Sangakkara acts as deputy to Dilshan in the test series. Jeewan Mendis has also been selected while dropping Tilan Samaraweera in a move which is likely to give a new look to the Sri Lankan middle order. Mendis, who represents Tamil Union was adjudged the player of the tournament in the recent domestic tournament and has been a proven talent in the local scene.

Pace ace Lasith Malinga who retired from test cricket last month has retained his place in the ODI squad while seamer Nuwan Kulasekara has also retained his place.

Apart from Samaraweera, Farveez Maharoof, Suranga Lakmal, Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welagedara and Tharanga Paranavithana who are currently in England for the Test series will return home.

Sri Lanka Squad for the ODI and T20 series against England : Tillakaratne Dilshan (Captain), Thilina Kandamby (Vice Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeewan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando.

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Comments - 58

rizmi Thursday, 09 June 2011 11:50 AM

east or west sanath is the best!!!
guys did u remember 2006 england series na,
so this time he will more dangerous than that!!
keep on going young man!!!

ase Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:10 AM

sana, accept the fact that you might feel physicaly fit, but your reactions are ??? and so on ???, so pls. keep the dignity and keep away.

GanjaRabbit Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:13 AM

why don't we recall wettimuny and madugalla as well?

Sudara Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:20 AM

Thilina Kandamby as vice captian? He's hardly in the middle order line up.

Concerned Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:23 AM

Please correct it to ....'once you pass 35 your shelf value is over for CRICKET!'

Badrudeen Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:25 AM

Even IPL discarded him. Shame to recall a 42 year old man. Is Sri Lanka short of young talents?

zeereez Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:26 AM

Sri Lankan Cricket Penished now!.....

Nadi Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:27 AM

ayyo, please go away Sanath,You are a great Cricketer ,no doubt.But evrything has a limit. be a gentleman and say good bye to cricket and let young fellows to carry foward.

Don Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:34 AM

what a bloody shame, as if we dont have people in our squad. shame to our nation! may be next in line is Asantha de mel cos he is good pal of MR

Manujer Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:38 AM

No. He will prove, shortly, without any reasonable doubt in England as he proved in T20 world cup.

Hash Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:35 AM

Again, Politics in play...

Jereesh Thursday, 09 June 2011 09:00 AM

sana should get a chance and perform well

gafa Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:11 AM

Well done My son, GOD BLESS YOU for 50 in every match you play against England and in future. Do the best SONNA

Yehiya-Doha Thursday, 09 June 2011 12:58 PM

Dear Sanath. Today you are representing the assembly & playing in English empire. Laugh or cry.

madmax Thursday, 09 June 2011 01:13 PM

your post says it all.2006!.. thats 5 years ago. He was already 'old' but at his peak. Was down hill from there, so what makes you think that he is 'more dangerous' now?
The Aussie's are bringing in new blood, while we kill of our young players.
England tours don't come along often. What a perfect chance to give that experience to some youngster.
By the way, what;s he done with my tax money, thats used finance his political job?

Black Mamba Thursday, 09 June 2011 01:10 PM

One for the road!!!

Ananda Friday, 10 June 2011 03:46 AM

Those who don't know politics or sports are crying foul. Sanath was a great son Mother of Sri Lanka ever produced. Give him due respect. Majority of voiceless fans are with you Sanath.

Niz Friday, 10 June 2011 04:01 AM

Include Arjuna Ranatunga & his brother

Galbanis Friday, 10 June 2011 04:54 AM

Look at the brighter sides Guys , at least sri lanka will have a another world record , The oldest cricketer who went on tour or something alone those lines ,
This is truly The Miracle of asia , where forties go neck to neck with twenties .........

Guru Friday, 10 June 2011 05:15 AM

Shame on Sri Lnak Cricket Board. Why not a young player?

Wambotta Friday, 10 June 2011 06:10 AM

Sana, Because of your selfishness you have deprived the chance of a young player!

piyal perera Friday, 10 June 2011 06:19 AM

He is a one of the great players SL ever produced.
Doesn't he deserve an international farewell from the short version of the game?

Sankalpa Friday, 10 June 2011 06:25 AM

He deserve a proper good bye match. He is a legend

Manel Palihakkara Friday, 10 June 2011 08:17 AM

If Sanath (42) is a Seeya, then what about Sangakkara, Mahela, Dilshan - all are over 36 or 37

Ravi Friday, 10 June 2011 09:57 AM

Sanath no disrespect you. but you time has gone,please allow younger talent to come forward. you are blocking their prospects.

Lankan Friday, 10 June 2011 10:13 AM

I bet he would just sit in the benches. It's only a tour on SLC's account. He know that he can't perform

Leela Samaradivakara Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:35 AM

We could have called the 2011 World cup ours had this been done earlier. Contrats Sana boy! I know you will do well.

Rosh Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:48 AM

This is a call by MR not the people of Sri Lanka.
Loose or win doesn't matter,give a chance to younger generation.

meranchi Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:49 AM

For what he re call for inter national cricket constantly fail he fail scoring most of the international cricket give a chance to new comer talented one....i

Arjuna R Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:58 AM

What a disgrace. Feel sorry for the selector pupputs and promising youngsters. When did this guy last played even a domestic tournment. When will we stop selecting players based on 2003 performances? When will this circus end? When will this guys GREED END? Go to hell you IPL reject.

citizen1 Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:58 AM

Hilarious!

Nava Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:54 AM

Congrats sanath...

anaya Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:54 AM

thanhaya jayathi soko, thanhaya jayathi bayang

kane Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:04 AM

Congratulations and all the best of luck to Sanath on his recall to SL one day team. Hopefully he will not make a laughing stock, while there are many younger players who could be groomed.

Fayad Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:12 AM

Last chance to prove, they should have picked you for world cup

Dinesh Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:12 AM

Prior to the tour of England, the National Selectors announced that this tour would be used to groom youngsters with the future in mind. How does a 42 yr old fit into the strategy of "FUTURE"?. I hope & pray the selectors will explain this to the cricket loving public!!!

imhyas Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:14 AM

is there running short of players?

Bumba Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:17 AM

Is this part of "miracle of Asia"?

Prabhath Patabendi Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:26 AM

Give him a chance . Sanath is the greatest cricketer SL has ever produced. We belive you ability.!

bis Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:30 AM

If you see the batting line in our test, all the batsmen except one are over thirties while youngsters like Lahiru and Chandima sitting in dressing room. Why the selectors thinking today only? can't they plan for future? We already lost the bowling department by did so. We were purely depended on Murali and Vass and failed to produce quality players for future and it will take years to recover from the crisis.
Alas! still we depends on over thirties no no over forties........... :( :(........

prag Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:30 AM

most old player in int. cricket...

JUNIOR CITIZEN Thursday, 09 June 2011 02:43 AM

SLT /Selectors, please correct the statement , to read 'Sri Lanka's combined Elders Home team'

Nishal Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:35 AM

He was good in past "SLC going to win the race with old horses and they not give a chance to new comers" SIyalu devi deathawunge pihitai...Aaarakshawai..for SL Cricket...

uglytruth Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:35 AM

Nothing to surprise....

Dushantha Thursday, 09 June 2011 03:33 AM

That is why we are called " Asiawe Aashcharya"

asoka Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:40 AM

@ Leela Samaradivakara...how you know sana is doing well...?

malkanthi Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:48 AM

Yes we should not degrade him, give him a chance prove himself.

Lana Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:48 AM

He he heeeeeee.................

Maha Raja Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:47 AM

Give him a chance till when? Till he is 50? Grow up .... once you pass 35 your shelf value is over.

ibog Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:52 AM

wow.. wow.. "my fitness levels are as good as I’ve been at 18"

Konde Bendapuchhena Thursday, 09 June 2011 04:53 AM

I wonder what Dulip mendis and Thennakoon would think,are they would join batting Practice

Abdul Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:03 AM

We thought days like Cardiff on 5th day could be rectified, but selectors have given no chance, we thought we are in transition for god's sake, it seems the transition is towards abyss

spark Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:07 AM

Until we citizens change our perspective in life when electing leaders without single criminal record, arrogance, racism and ineducation and also when pay due respect and listen to divergent views from our neighbours, other ethnic minorities and the int'l community.

Abdul Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:10 AM

i think we should give a chance to Dulip Mendis also a chance, he looked fit too sitting on the Lords balcony, and Sid Wettimuny and Ranjan Madugalla too, they are all fine cricketers like Sanath Jayasuriya, don't forget them just because they played in a different era

Tilan Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:10 AM

shame shame shame

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Sanath Jayasuriya recalled

Comments - 58

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