Sri Lanka have called up three Test specialists for the forthcomingtwo-match series against Zimbabwe
Wisden Cricinfo staff25-Apr-2004Sri Lanka have called up three Test specialists for the forthcomingtwo-match series against Zimbabwe. Thilan Samaraweera, Ian Daniel, anopening batsman, and Prasanna Jayawardene will leave for Harare on Monday.The selectors have not yet confirmed which players from the one-day squadwill return home early.Daniel, a 22-year-old, is included in the Test squad for the first time afteran impressive tour to New Zealand with the A side where he scored 322 runsat 53.66. His promotion comes at the expense of Hashan Tillakaratne, whoseinternational career now appears to be over, although he will hope that hecan grab a berth in the team for Australia in June.Jayawardene has been drafted in to provide wicketkeeping back-up for KumarSangakkara. The selectors are concerned about Sangakkara’s double burden ofkeeping wicket and batting at No. 3, and have offered him the option ofdropping down the order.”We feel that Sangakkara is too good a player to be sacrificed at No. 3 ifhe is going to keep wicket,” said Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman ofselectors. “Sangakkara is keen to keep wicket, but then we must also look atthe position he is batting, which is ideal for his temperament and thestrokes he has.”If Sangakkara does slip into the middle order, Samaraweera is likely to begiven an opportunity to bed down at No.3, a position that he is bettersuited to than the lower middle-order where he can get stuck with the tail.The first of two Tests will be played at Harare on May 6.