Asela Gunaratne omitted due to 'shortage in match fitness'

Sri Lanka is most likely to go ahead without the services of Asela Gunratne for their upcoming tour to India. It learnt that the all-rounder has been omitted out of the team after failure in Yo-Yo Test even after deemed fit. Under the new guidelines from Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, the body could quite possibly prevent those picked by the national selection panel from representing their nation.

Graeme Labrooy, Chairman of Selectors, revealed that whenever a selected squad is sent to the minister of sports for ratification, fitness test reports must be attached for each player picked.

“This was a directive we received from the sports minister to prove that the individual selected is declared physically fit,” stated the Chairman of Selectors according to Daily News. The protocol has been followed since the series against Pakistan.

Gunaratne and Mendis expected to take part in the ODI series against India

The necessary requirement in the fitness report includes results from yo-yo endurance tests and skinfold tests. Asela Gunaratne last featured in the Galle Test against India in July and has remained out of action due to a fractured thumb which he sustained while fielding at the slips. According to reports from Island Cricket, Gunaratne has fully recovered in time for the Test series against India.

The other prominent name not included in the squad in swashbuckling southpaw Kusal Perera, who had undergone a hamstring injury. Perera was available for selection but was not selected despite being fully fit.

Kusal Perera is also available for selection after a hamstring injury but, like Gunaratne, has been omitted from the Test squad despite being fully fit. Both Gunaratne and Perera passed their skinfold tests but were declared short of match fitness by the new selection panel. However, it is expected that the dynamic duo for Lanka will be ready in time for the ODI series starting December 10.