COLOMBO, Feb 12 - Sri Lanka named middle order
batsman Russel Arnold and fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara in their
final 15-man World Cup squad on Monday.
Sri Lanka's selectors plumped for the experience of Arnold,
a 33-year-old veteran who has scored 3744 runs in 167 matches,
ahead of teenager Chamara Kapugedera.
Kulasekara, a handy lower order batsman and sharp fielder,
claimed the final bowling place ahead of Akalanka Ganegama,
Nuwan Zoysa and Ruchira Perera.
Leg spinner Malinga Bandara, who impressed against India at
Rajkot on Sunday, claiming 2-36 including the key wicket of
Sachin Tendulkar, was selected ahead of the more experienced
Upul Chandana as the second spinner.
Kapugedera, Ganegama, Chandana and Perera were named
official reserves.
The squad, captained by Mahela Jayawardene, included eight
specialist batsmen and seven bowlers.
Sri Lanka, the 1996 World Cup winners, are in Group B with
1983 champions India, Bangladesh and Bermuda.
Sri Lanka squad:
Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Marvan
Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne
Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Farveez Maharoof,
Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan
Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara
Reserves:
Chamara Kapugedera, Akalanka Ganegama, Upul Chandana,
Ruchira Perera
Reuters.