COLOMBO, Jun 9 (AP): Veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya's international career has been resurrected in the wake of a doping investigation involving Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga.
Jayasuriya, who turns 42 this month, will return to play for Sri Lanka in the upcoming limited-overs and Twenty20 matches against England.
He was included in a 16-member squad announced on Thursday, a day after Sri Lanka Cricket announced the official notification by International Cricket Council that Tharanga has tested positive for a banned substance after the World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand and that a disciplinary action has been initiated.
"Since there is an ongoing inquiry to verify this charge, Upul Tharanga will not be making himself available for selection until the conclusion of the inquiry and therefore will not be available for the ODI and T20 matches in England and the Sri Lanka "A" team tour of England," a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket said.
Jayasuriya has not played a limited-overs international for Sri Lanka since December 2009, and played his last Twenty20 game a year ago. His career was thought to be over after being dropped from the World Cup squad and failing to secure a contract with a franchise in this year's Indian Premier League.
Jayasuriya has played 444 one-day internationals, scoring 13,428 runs at an average over 32. He has also taken 322 wickets bowling left-arm spin.
Left-handed batsman Thilina Kandamby was named deputy to captain Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Dimuth Karunaratne, a 23-year-old left-handed opening batsman is the only uncapped player in the squad.
All-rounder Anjelo Mathews' selection will be subject to fitness as he hasn't fully recovered from an injury sustained during the World Cup.
Sri Lanka will play England in a Twenty20 match and five limited-over internationals starting June 25, followed by Twenty20 games against Ireland and Scotland.
The squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Thilina Kandamby, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Tissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis.