Jayawardene re-appointed captain for Champions Trophy

COLOMBO: Mahela Jayawardene has been retained as Sri Lanka captain for the Champions Trophy despite the return of former skipper Marvan Atapattu to the squad following a debilitating back injury.

Sri Lanka had hoped for Atapattu to play in the recent tri-series with India and South Africa that was abandoned because of security reasons.

On Friday, the selectors named Atapattu in the 14-man squad but want him to prove his fitness under match conditions before giving him back the leadership.

Atapattu will be competing for a middle order position with all rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chamara Kapugedera.

The only change in Sri Lanka's squad was the omission of wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene. Kumar Sangakkara, also the vice-captain, will keep the gloves.

Sri Lanka leave for India on Oct. 1 to compete in a preliminary qualification round with West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Muttiah Muralitharan.