In a stunning decision, the Sri Lankan cricket selectors Thursday recalled 41-year-old former captain Sanath Jayasuriya for the ODIs and the Twenty20 internationals against England and Scotland.
Middle-order batsman Thilina Kandamby and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal were also recalled while Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera and Rangana Herath were dropped.
Jayasuriya, who turns 42 on June 30, retired from Test cricket in 2007 and his last ODI was in 2009. He was left out from the list of 20 cricketers who were offered the central contracts in 2010. Jayasuriya was among the 30 probables for the World Cup, but was not selected in the 15-member squad.
Recently, it was speculated that Jayasuriya would replace captain and opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who injured his thumb during the second Test and is doubtful for the third.
With Dilshan, also doubtful for the first two ODIs, and Upul Tharanga, ruled out after he failed a drug Test during the World Cup, Jayasuriya will be again seen opening the innings for Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Kandamby has been named vice-captain for the ODI series ahead of former captain Kumar Sangakkara who is Dilshan’s deputy in the ongoing Test series in England. Sri Lanka have also included all-rounder Jeewan Mendis and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal.
Sri Lanka take on England in a one-off Twenty20 game June 25. The five-match ODI series starts June 28 and then they will travel to Scotland for two ODIs slated for July 11 and July 13.
The squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Thilina Kandamby (vice-captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Sanath Jayasuriya.