Mathews in, Welagedera out for Second Test against England

by Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

Sri Lanka’s Vice Captain Angelo Mathews who missed out playing in the First Test in Galle, has recovered sufficiently from a calf strain and has been included in the squad from which the final playing eleven for the Second Test against England will be chosen on the eve of the Test.

If Mathews plays, it will be as a batsman and he will not be asked to bowl.

Left arm paceman Chanaka Welagedera who did not meet with much success in Galle has been ruled out with a groin injury and Shamindra Eranga has been named as replacement.If Mathews plays it will be at the expense of Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal batted well in the Galle Test, but failed to build on and lost his wicket to rash shots.

The Sri Lanka squad for the Second Test against England starting at the P.Sara Stadium on Tuesday – Mahela Jayawardene (C), Angelo Mathews (VC),Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Prasanna Jayawardena, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Tharanga Paranavitarne, Shamindra Eranga,Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhammika Prasad.