Sri Lankan selectors drop Kaluwitharana from Test squad

Wicketkeeper-batsmen Romesh Kaluwitharana was dropped from the Sri Lankan Test squad for the Third Test against India on Monday night after the selectors slimmed down the squad to 15 players.

The Sri Lankan selectors are still, however, undecided on the final eleven for the deciding Test, which starts on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

They are presently considering two changes: the introduction of off-spinning allrounder Thilan Samaraweera and top order batsman Michael Vandort in place of left-handed batsman Hashan Tillakaratne and fast bowling allrounder Suresh Perera.

Both Samaraweera and Vandort would be making their Test debut.

Perera is almost certain to be dropped in place of Samaraweera after two disappointing performances with both bat and ball. The right-arm fast bowler was also reported by umpire Steve Bucknor in the Galle Test for having a suspect bowling action.

Tillakaratne may be given another chance. The 34-year-old is yet to make an impression after scores of 11, 10 and 16 in his three innings so far, but Tillakaratne has come back into Test cricket after a two year absence and the selectors are apparently keen to give him a fair chance of readjusting to international cricket.