Sri Lankan selectors recall Hashan Tillakaratne for Test series

The Sri Lankan selectors left out veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva from the 16-man squad selected for the forthcoming Test series against India, which starts on next Tuesday at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

This is not the first time the veteran batsman has fallen out of favour with the selectors. However the right-hander, who has played 98 Tests and is just 48 runs short of 6000 runs, played in Sri Lanka's last Test series against England and scored his 19th century of the career in the first Test at Galle.

The selectors have added middle order batsman Hashan Tillakaratne to the squad after the southpaw spent two years in the wilderness. He is expected to make it to the final eleven and will bat at number five or six.

Opening batsman Michael Vandort, who made a 116 in the ongoing practice game against India at P Sara Stadium has also been included while Chamara Silva has been left out.

Thilan Samaraweera finally gets into the squad, as the second spinner. Kumar Dharmasena is left out. Samaraweera is, however, unlikely to play, as the Sri Lankans look set to play three fast bowlers.

The selectors, who met last evening, have picked fast bowler Ruchira Perera and he will be contesting for the third fast bowler's place with Suresh Perera and Dulip Liyanage.

Romesh Kaluwitharana, left out of Test series against England, finds a place in the Test squad after some impressive performances in the recent one-day series.

The full squad: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Hashan Tillakaratne, Russell Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suresh Perera, Avishka Gunawardene, Michael Vandort, Thilan Samaraweera, Dulip Liyanage, Ruchira Perera.