Sri Lanka Include Jayasuriya, Vaas In World Cup Squad

Sri Lanka Include Jayasuriya, Vaas In World Cup Squad

Sanath Jayasuriya could play in his fifth World Cup if he is selected

©REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Sri Lanka have included veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas in their preliminary squad for the 2011 World Cup, which gets underway in February.

The pair, who were part of Sri Lanka's squad which won the event in 1996 and finished as runners-up to Australia in 2007, have not featured in international cricket for some time but the door remains open for them to make comebacks.

Belligering opening batsman Jayasuriya, who has played 444 One-Day Internationals, was dropped following a disappointing run in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 while left-arm pace bowler Vaas last played for his country in an ODI since 2008.

Sri Lanka Cricket are expected to trim the preliminary squad to its final 15-man version by 19th January - one month before the tournament begins.

Sri Lanka are co-hosting the event along with Bangladesh and India.

Muttiah Muralitharan is the third member of the squad who played in 1996 who is named in the preliminary squad which contains just one uncapped player - quick bowler Nuwan Pradeep.

Sri Lanka preliminary World Cup squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Tissara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Jeewan Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Dammika Prasad, Chaminda Vaas, Chanaka Welagedara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thilan Thushara

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