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Upul Tharanga will replace the retired Sanath Jayasuriya in Sri Lanka’s side for the second Test against England, at the SSC in Colombo, which starts on Sunday. He is the only change to the squad, meaning Jehan Mubarak keeps his place despite two failures in Kandy.

Tharanga last played a Test against Bangladesh in July before being dropped for the series in Australia following a string of low scores in all forms of the game. His last Test half-century came against England, at Lord’s, in May 2006, but he put himself back in the frame for selection with innings of 112 and 86 during England’s two warm-up matches in Colombo.

Mubarak was the batsman under the most pressure in the Sri Lanka side after making 0 and 9 in the first Test. However, Mahela Jayawardene said they needed to show faith in the players. “The middle order is a bit of a concern but we have to be fair to the youngsters we have identified and give them a decent run,” he told Reuters.

Jayawardene added that the bowling attack was likely to remain the same, with the three quick bowlers supporting Muttiah Muralitharan, although the loss of Jayasuriya will reduce the spin options.

“The bowling combination will depend on the pitch but knowing the SSC it will probably be three seamers and Murali. We have got to take forward the confidence we got with the win in Kandy,” he said. “It was a confidence booster for us for the rest of the series and we should not lower our guard and allow England to come back.”

Sri Lanka squad Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Vandort, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Sujeewa de Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Source:Cricket News