Atapattu in line for recall for home series against Bangladesh

Colombo, June 4 (UNI) After warming the benches for nearly 18 months, former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu is all set to be recalled for the home series against Bangladesh later this month.

Sri Lanka will play three tests and three ODIs against Bangladesh, who has appointed its A team coach Shaun Williams to take over the reigns of the national side for the month-long tour, starting on June 20.

Atapattu has been a near-permanent presence in most squads but has played little part in Sri Lanka's recent resurgence, where the team ended up the second best behind Australia although the stylish right-hander did not get to play single match in the World Cup in the Caribbean.

That may be about to change now, with Chief selector Ashantha De Mel backing Atapattu's return. ''Marvan Atapattu will definitely be considered for the Test and the one day series against Bangladesh,'' said De Mel.

''I think Marvan is too good a player to be left out considering his experience and ability. We will initially look at him for the Tests and, depending on his form, will consider him for the one-day games too. He was left out of the matches against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, but we have decided to reconsider him,'' he added.

But star batsman Sanath Jayasuriya might not be part of the action as De Mel said, ''We have also taken a decision to rest some of the seniors for this series. It is very likely that Sanath will be rested. Sanath is a player of undisputed class and he is in no danger of losing his place. He can afford to rest and come back.'' ''We will take the opportunity to try our new players who are on the fringe of breaking through as we feel Bangladesh is a side we can afford to experiment against,'' De Mel was quoted as saying to 'The Lanka Sun'.

He also confirmed that Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Chaminda Vaas, currently in England playing county cricket, will be available for the home series.

''Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara will definitely be available for the series. We have been told of their availability. We want to look at every angle before we decide on the squad,'' the chief selector.

The trio skipped the ODI series in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan because of their county commitments.

UNI