Sri Lanka name squads for New Zealand tour

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka have selected uncapped middle order batsman Chamara Silva and pace bowler Akalanka Ganegama for their two-Test tour of New Zealand starting this month.   

Silva, 26, who has played 10 one-day internationals, takes the place of opener Michael Vandort. Ganegama, 25, has also won a place in the 14-man squad after bowling well for the A team during their current tour of India. Ganegama has played four one-day internationals but no Test matches.   

He has been included for the Test matches only and will be replaced by left-armer Ruchira Perera for the five-match one-day series which follows.   

Former captain Marvan Atapattu has opted out of the test leg of the tour after back surgery in May.   

Mahela Jayawardene was officially confirmed as captain for both legs of the tour with Kumar Sangakkara named as vice-captain.   

Sri Lanka leave for New Zealand on Nov. 25 and play one warm-up game against Otago before the first Test starting on Dec. 7.   

The six-week tour includes Test matches in Christchurch and Wellington, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals.    
  
Test squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara ëvice-capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Akalanka Ganegama, Muttiah Muralitharan

One-day squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (vice-capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera       

Schedule:   

Nov 30-Dec 3: Tour match v Otago, Dunedin   
Dec 7-11    : First Test, Christchurch   
Dec 15-19   : Second Test, Wellington   
Dec 22      : Twenty20 international, Wellington   
Dec 26      : Twenty20 international, Auckland   
Dec 28      : First one-dayer, Napier   
Dec 31      : Second one-dayer, Queenstown   
Jan  2      : Third one-dayer, Christchurch   
Jan  6      : Fourth one-dayer, Auckland   
Jan  9      : Fifth one-dayer, Hamilton