Tharanga misses England ODIs

Saturday, 11 June 2011 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS - Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga has been omitted from the limited-overs squad to face England after the International Cricket Council launched an investigation into his failed World Cup drugs test, the nation’s cricket board said on Thursday.

“The ICC has informed Sri Lanka Cricket that Upul Tharanga has tested positive for the presence of a prohibited substance during a testing of a urine sample collected from him after the semi-final match v New Zealand on 29 March and a disciplinary charge has been initiated,” a Sri Lanka Cricket statement said.

“Since there is an ongoing inquiry to verify this charge, Tharanga will not be available for selection until its conclusion and therefore will not be available for the one-day international and Twenty20 matches in England.” Tharanga’s absence has paved the way for an unlikely return to the squad for 41-year-old opener Sanath Jayasuriya, who last played for Sri Lanka in December 2009.

Following Sri Lanka’s victory over New Zealand in Colombo they lost to co-hosts India by six wickets in the final on 2 April. Left-hander Tharanga scored two centuries in the tournament and his 395 runs in eight matches were the fifth-highest by a batsman at the event. The 26-year-old has played 15 tests and 121 one-day internationals and scored a combined 12 centuries for Sri Lanka in both forms of the game.

Jayasuriya, who retired from test cricket in 2007, remains Sri Lanka’s highest run scorer in one-day internationals with 13,428 runs from 444 matches. Pace bowler Lasith Malinga, who quit test cricket last month, has also been included in the 16-member squad along with uncapped left-handed opener Dimuth Karunaratne.

Sri Lanka currently trail England 1-0 after two tests of a three-match series and will play one Twenty20 and five one-dayers against the hosts, followed by 50-over matches against Ireland and Scotland to conclude the tour.

Sri Lanka squad for T20 & ODI Series

Tilakaratne Dilshan (captain), Thilina Kandamby, 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.