Fernando misses first Test

Fernando will play no part in the Colombo Test

Sri Lanka have announced a 15-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday.

Middle-order batsman Mahela Jayawardene, has been recalled after scoring a century in a warm-up game on the weekend.

Wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana and all-rounder Upul Chandana, who performed well in the warm-up matches, have also been named in the squad.

The new-look Sri Lankan side, led by veteran left-hander Hashan Tillekeratne, will go into the match without batsman Russel Arnold and fast bowler Dilhara Fernando.

But batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Michael Vandort have been included.

Prabath Nissanka and newcomer Dharshana Gamage are the options to share the new ball with Chaminda Vaas.

Muttiah Muralitharan heads the spin department, which also includes Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana and young leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

The series has all the makings of being a tight contest. The two countries are on level terms in nine Test encounters on Sri Lankan soil, having won three matches each.

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Sri Lanka (from): Hashan Tillakaratne (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Michael Vandort, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chaminda Vaas, Prabath Nissanka, Dharshana Gamage and Muttiah Muralitharan.

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (capt), Mark Richardson, Matthew Horne, Richard Jones, Lou Vincent, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Robbie Hart, Daniel Vettori, Ian Butler, Shane Bond, Paul Wiseman, Daryl Tuffey.