First things first: Viru and 8230;

India's new captain and coaching duo of Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell were playing it close to their chest today at the Nondescripts Cricke...

India8217;s new captain and coaching duo of Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell were playing it close to their chest today at the Nondescripts Cricket Club. There was no hint of a side for the first of two practice matches as the team8217;s pre-Indian Oil triangular series 8212; the first of which is being played on Monday.

Just who will partner Virender Sehwag is a matter of speculation, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni could be brought in or even Yuvraj Singh, although his name has cropped up before as a possibility to replace Sachin Tendulkar in the opener8217;s role.

The first game is against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, while Chappell may get some inside information of the triangular series opponents from elder brother Ian, now doing television commentary here at Asgiriya Stadium where the second rain-hit Test is being played between West Indies and hosts Sri Lanka.

Out-classed and inexperienced, West Indies are hoping that the addition of the 27-year-old batting all-rounder, Ricardo Powell, will beef up the middle of the innings. Powell arrived today and was rushed to meet team management at Asgiriya Stadium.

Powell is seen as an important edition to an under-powered second string side that8217;s been seriously affected by a long-running team dispute in the West Indies between the players association and the board.

Players association8217;s chief executive Deomorine Ramnarine is wielding outdated recalcitrant trade union tactics to get his way in a long-term running contractual battle with the cricket board that resulted in 10 players selected for the tour opted out over the protracted contract issue.

Sri Lanka, however, have named a 15-strong squad with two new faces, for the triangular that starts on Saturday, July 30 at Rangiri Stadium, Dumbulla. It is seen as the first step towards the formation of the squad for the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

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Captained by Marvan Atapattu, the new caps are Upul Tharanga, a left-hand opening batsman and all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige, who displayed form in the recent limited overs series between Sri Lanka A and West Indies A.

Dropped from the squad are Gayan Wijekoon, who made little impact in his appearances in the two Tests against the West Indians, and left-arm spinner, Rangana Herath and Thilan Samaraweera. In their places the selectors have added the experienced Dilhara Fernando an all-rounder Faveez Maharoof. Maharoof did well against India in the Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka a year ago, displaying quality form in the series as a bowler.

LANKA SQUAD

Marvan Atapattu captain, Mahela Jayawardene vice-captain, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chanana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga.

Vaas doubt ful

Sri Lanka8217;s mainstay pacer Chaminda Vaas is likely to miss the opening game of the tri-series against India on July 30 after a hamstring strain during the third day8217;s play of the Test against West Indies. Vaas, who batted with skipper Marvan Atapattu as his runner, was named in the squad for the tri-series that was announced today. Confirming this Lanka8217;s physiotherapist CJ Clarke said, 8216;8216;Chaminda picked up a grade one hamstring strain the other day and at the moment he is looking at being out for seven to 10 days.8217;8217;