Cricket: Sri Lanka make sweeping changes for Tri-Series

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka has reacted to last week's Twenty20 series loss to New Zealand by making a raft of changes to their one-day cricket squad on the eve of the Tri-Series opener tonight (9pm NZT).

Stung by the 2-0 series defeat and concerned over the fitness of spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka drafted in five new players and cut four late yesterday as they plot for redemption against New Zealand at R Premadasa Stadium.

Legspinner Malinga Bandara has been called in as cover for Muralitharan who continues to struggle with a groin strain that flared during the latter stages of the second test on August 30.

Bandara fulfilled a similar role during the Twenty20s, playing both matches.

A golden duck in game two on Friday has seen top order batsman Mahela Udawatte jettisoned for Upul Tharanga, though the 82-match opener's inclusion may also put pressure on the under-performing Sanath Jayasuriya at the top of the order.

The hosts moved to bolster their middle order batting by summoning Thilan Samaraweera, man of the series in last month's test series.

Samaraweera made two superb centuries while amassing 347 runs at 86.75 though his ODI record is not as flattering - 249 runs at 16.60 and a sluggish strikerate of 52.42 runs per 100 balls.

Since his debut in 1998, 32-year-old Samaraweera has played only 21 ODIs, a sporadic career marked by frequent and lengthy breaks.

Until he was recalled for the five-match series against Pakistan in July-August his previous ODI was against India in November 2005.

Thilina Kandamby, who made 26 against New Zealand for Sri Lanka A on Sunday, is the other batting addition as Gihan Rupasinghe and allrounder Kaushal Lokuarachichi - not required during the Twenty20s - make way.

Isuru Udana, a young left-arm quick confined to 12th man duties last week is replaced by aggressive right armer Dammika Prasad who bowled without luck while taking two for 97 in the second test after standing in for a resting Nuwan Kulasekara.

While Sri Lanka now have multiple options, New Zealand's line-up is more straight forward with the only selection issue revolving around whether to play Ian Butler as a third seamer or Nathan McCullum as spinning back up to captain Daniel Vettori.

New Zealand (likely): Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond.

Sri Lanka (from): Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Dammika Prasad.

- NZPA