Jayasuriya in line for Test axe

Sanath Jayasuriya's poor form, coupled with his shoulder injury, is likely to see him left out of Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the three-Test series against India starting next month. The national selection committee had to meet twice on Thursday to pick the squad after the first list, with Jayasuriya's name on it, was rejected by the Minister of Sports. The squad was re-selected without Jayasuriya and has, according to reliable sources, been sent to the minister for ratification.

The reluctance to drop Jayasuriya from the squad, despite his poor form in India in the on-going one-day series, has been a major talking point in cricket circles. From what we have seen on the live broadcasts, it is clearly evident that Jayasuriya is not playing his best cricket. Apart from failing with the bat, accumulating only 85 runs (avg. 14.16) in the first six matches with a top score of 27, he has proved a liability on the field with his dislocated right shoulder, which he is wary of whenever the ball is hit towards him. Even his usually reliable left-arm spin has failed to bring him a wicket, and he has conceded 75 runs in 12.5 overs.

In the circumstances, one cannot understand the logic behind the tour selectors continuing to play Jayasuriya even after India had taken a winning 4-0 lead in the seven-match series. What the great man needs is a period of rest to recover fully from his injury. He is not getting any younger and, at 36, needs to be managed carefully however keen he is to play.

A member of the national selection committee, Don Anurasiri, has been on tour in India. But we understand that he is being asked to return home by Sri Lanka Cricket apparently because selections have not gone the way that the national selectors wanted them to. A case in point has been the non-inclusion of fast bowling all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige and batsman Thilan Samaraweera. They have played just one game apiece.

With Sri Lanka having a hectic schedule over the next eight months, with tours to New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and England, it is common sense that some of the senior members are managed properly to keep them playing for a longer period of time.

Two other players, Upul Chandana and Nuwan Zoysa, who have underperformed in the one-day series, are also likely to get the axe for the Test series. Sri Lanka, who trail 1-5 in the seven-match series, play the seventh and final match at Baroda on Saturday before returning home. They will leave for the second leg of the tour of India on November 23. The first Test is scheduled for Chennai on December 2.