Ex-Sri Lankan captain axed

[The Prototype]

Ex-Sri Lankan captain axed - Fox
April 26, 2004

FORMER Sri Lankan skipper Hashan Tillakaratne has been dropped for next month's Test series in Zimbabwe, the national cricket selectors announced today.

Tillakaratne, 36, stepped down as captain after Sri Lanka lost all three Tests against Ricky Ponting's Australians last month to suffer their first-ever whitewash in a home series.

The left-hander, who scored 4545 runs in 83 Tests with 11 centuries, had then said he would be available for selection only as a batsman.

Sri Lanka, leading 3-0 in the ongoing series of five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe, will also play two Test matches against the hosts.

The first begins in Harare on May 6.

The selectors today included uncapped opening batsman Ian Daniel, who would join the squad along with wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene and all-rounder Thilan Samaraweera.

Jayawardene figured in only three Tests, the last being against Bangladesh at home nearly two years ago.

The selectors have yet to name the players to be replaced by the trio.

Sri Lankan Test squad: Marvan Atapattu (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Russel Arnold, Saman Jayantha, Thilina Kandamby, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Chandana, Rangana Herath, Ian Daniel, Prasanna Jayawardene.

[LeonMcS]

Billy Birmingham would probably say "...Shame to see Giveusahand Tolickheracne dropped from this series..."
Sorry, couldn't resist.