SURPRISE CALL:The 41-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya has been picked to replace Upul Tharanga in the Sri Lankan one-day and Twenty20 side.
Colombo: In his 40s and an active politician, veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya on Thursday returned to the Sri Lankan one-day and Twenty20 cricket side after more than a year for the series against England later this month.
The left-hander, who turns 42 on June 30, has been picked to replace Upul Tharanga, who is facing disciplinary action for testing positive for a banned substance during the World Cup.
Jayasuriya, now a Member of Parliament for the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance, was last seen in action in an ODI in India in 2009, which was abandoned due to a poor pitch, where he scored 31 runs.
Ever since the news of Tharanga's failed dope test came out, there was speculation of Jayasuriya returning to the Lankan squad. He was excluded from the World Cup team and also failed to retain his place in the Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians.
Jayasuriya retired from Test cricket in 2007 with 6973 runs in 110 matches at an average of 40. His left-arm spin also came in handy for his team and he picked up 98 wickets.
In the 444 ODIs he played before this comeback, Jayasuriya made 13,428 runs at an average of 32 and a strike-rate of over 91.
Meanwhile, Jayasuriya said he would retire after the series against England.
“I will retire after the England tour from all forms of the game,” said the veteran left-hander.
Jayasuriya said he would play in the T20 game and one of the five One-Day Internationals. “I do not want to be unfair on upcoming players by trying to play for too long. I will be available to them to share my experience,” said Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka, is scheduled to play a lone T20 match in Bristol on June 25 followed by five one-dayers from June 28 to July 9.
The tour will end with two one-day games against Ireland and Scotland.
The squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt.), Thilina Kandamby (vice-capt.), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya . — Agencies
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