Jayasuriya dropped for Bangladesh tri-series

Colombo:

The world's most experienced one-day batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya, has been axed from next month's limited-overs tri-series in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Wednesday.

Jayasuriya, 40, was not named in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the tri-series as selectors made changes after recent defeats to India, the third team taking part in the series to be held in Dhaka from January 4-13.

Jayasuriya, who just completed 20 years of international cricket, has represented the country in 444 one-day games, scoring 11,825 runs.

The selectors also dropped batsman Chamara Kapugedara, fast bowler Lasith Malinga and spinner Ajantha Mendis, who performed poorly on the recently concluded Indian tour.

Sri Lanka lost the three-Test series 0-2, split the two Twenty20s and lost the five-match one-day series 1-3. Injuries to key players during the tour made the task in India all the more tough.

Batsman Mahela Jayawardene, all-rounder Angelo Mathews and bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Dilhara Fernando were not considered for the 15-man squad to Bangladesh, having picked up injuries in India.

They were replaced by newcomer batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Silva, legspinner Malinga Bandara and fast bowler Thilan Thushara.

Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain and wicket keeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan (vice-captain), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thissara Perera, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Malinga Bandara, Suraj Randiv, Thilan Thushara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara and Chanaka Welagedera.