Jayasuriya dropped from Test squad

Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan opener, has been dropped from the 15-member Test squad for the three-Test series against India in December. Jayasuriya, dropped from the Test team for the first time since 1995, is suffering from a shoulder injury that has prevented him from bowling effectively and has had a wretched one-day series with the bat against India, scoring just 85 runs in six games.

Chaminda Vaas replaced Mahela Jayawardene as vice-captain while Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Nuwan Zoysa and Dilhara Lokuhettige were other one-day players not picked for the Tests.

Avishka Gunawardene, Malinga Bandara and Lasith Malinga were recalled to the squad that also has new faces like Sajeeva Weerakoon, a left-arm spinner, and Chamara Kapugedara, a middle-order batsman. Bandara was Gloucestershire's player of the year after taking 45 wickets in eight first-class matches.

Sri Lanka will play the first Test in Chennai from December 2-6, followed by the second Test in New Delhi from December 10-14 and the third at Kanpur from December 18-22.

Test squad
Marvan Atapattu (capt), Chaminda Vaas (vice-capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga, Avishka Gunawardene, Chamara Kapugedera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon