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Sri Lanka shake off injury concerns

Sri Lanka have a full-strength side for their final group match of the Indian Oil Cup against West Indies

Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin
05-Aug-2005


Sanath Jayasuriya will shoulder the attack in the final group match of the Indian Oil Cup © Getty Images
Sri Lanka will pick their starting XI for their final group game against West Indies on Saturday from a full squad after Sanath Jayasuriya (shoulder), Chaminda Vaas (hamstring) and Nuwan Zoysa (back) all passed fitness tests at the team's training session on Friday morning.
"Sanath [Jayasuriya] had a full batting session today and he did not have any pain while playing a full range of strokes," the team's physiotherapist CJ Clarke said after the practice session. "He is still on anti-inflammatory drugs and would have his shoulder strapped up for the game."
There are concerns about him damaging the shoulder again but Tom Moody, the coach, hinted that Jayasuriya will play in place of Upul Tharanga. "We are going to see how Sanath pulls up after training today," said Moody, "and make the final decision tomorrow - but if he pulls up ok I can't see any reason why he won't play."
Moody, though, made a point of backing Tharanga despite two failures as Jayasuriya's replacement: "It is early days for young Upul Tharanga and we have a lot of confidence in him," he said. "He is a bright prospect and we are certainly not going to lose patience in him. He deserves a good opportunity."
Sri Lanka may make wholesale changes to their bowling attack to make room for Zoysa and Vaas, as well as Muttiah Muralitharan who was rested in the last game. However, there is also a chance, if he was happy enough going into the final without match practice, that Vaas would be rested again.
"Vaas did a 20-minute fitness test, which he passed, and he is about 95% now," said Clarke. "The issue is whether he wants to play in the West Indies game for match fitness or is confident enough of going straight into the final. Zoysa bowled two sets of 20 minutes today at top pace and he will be fine."
Moody wants the team to raise their game against West Indies in readiness for the final: "There will be no change of plans but I hope we can play a bit better as there are areas where we can improve. The game against the West Indies is a great opportunity to improve with the bat, the ball and in the field. If we want to be in good shape for the final then we have to make sure we play at our best tomorrow."

Charlie Austin is Cricinfo's Sri Lankan correspondent