Chanaka Welegedara recalls in the Sri Lankan squad for Champions Trophy

Fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara has been recalled in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad announced for the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 which is scheduled to kick off on June 6.

This fast bowler has not played any ODI match since mid-2010. Even, after sustaining hamstring injury, he had to come back home mid-way through Sri Lanka's Test series in Australia last December.

The inclusion of two senior players Mahela Jayawardene and Rangana Herath were expected. They did not play in the last home ODI series against Bangladesh. Jayawardene was not selected due to his finger injury while Herath had been rested.

Batsman Upul Tharanga failed to make his position in the squad due to his poor form. He had a woeful series against Australia. Playing three innings, he accumulated 13 runs. Because of his poor form, he was not even selected in the main squad against Bangladesh.

Another player who was not picked for the tournament is spinner Ajantha Mendis. Batsmen Kithuruwan Vithanage and Angelo Perera, and allrounder Sachith Pathirana have not been picked in the squad.

Shaminda Eranga replaces Chanaka Welegedara for the second Test

Chanaka Welegedara, cannot play in the second Test against England due to his groin injury. He will be replaced by the 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler, Shaminda Eranga.

Except the absence of Chanaka Welegedara, the Sri Lanka selectors have brought one more change in the 14-man squad that is the inclusion of all-rounder, Angelo Mathews. Angelo Mathews has been selected in the place of batsman Chamara Silva, who was chosen as a replacement for Mathews in the first place after the all-rounder failed to prove his fitness ahead of Galle Test.

Ashantha de Mel said, “Welegedera bowled with some discomfort during the Galle Test and an MRI scan revealed that he had a groin strain. Mathews has been declared fit and we have brought him in, but he will only bat.”

Mathews last played for his country in the tri-nation Commonwealth Bank Series in early March in Australia. However, due to his calf injury, he missed the final match of CB series and the Asia Cup hosted by Bangladesh.

Despite of his injury, he was primarily selected in the Test squad against England but failed to get recovery in time for the first Test. According to De Mel, Mathews' injured leg has put uncertainty over his future as a bowler. Mathews will bat at No. 6 with Dinesh Chandimal in the Sri Lanka line-up.

Shaminda Eranga has made his Test debut against Australia at the Sinhalese Sports Club last September and claimed four wickets. The match against England at the P Sara Oval on Tuesday is going to be his second Test match.