Jayasuriya ruled out of Triangular opener

The explosive left-hander, who has set new benchmarks for one-day cricket with fellow opener Romesh Kaluwitharana, complained of pain while batting in the nets.

“He is in extreme pain and it is very unlikely he will play,” said a dejected skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. “It’s tough luck.”

Russel Arnold, another talented left-hander, will take Jayasuriya’s place in a strong line-up that is expected to include at least seven players from the side that beat Australia in the World Cup final at Lahore in March 1996.

Jayasuriya will undergo further X-rays but teamphysiotherapist Alex Kountouri expects Sri Lanka’s most valuable player to be fit for the match against England at Lord’s on Sunday.

The triangular series will serve as the final dress rehearsal for Sri Lanka before England hosts the International Cricket Council’s World Cup in 1999.“That’s one reason we decided to come here,” Ranatunga said.

“We’ve heard the white balls move around a great deal here compared with other countries, so this tournament is part of the acclimatisation process.”“We have been very successful in the sub-continent, but I would like to see how we perform here,” Ranatunga added.

This is Sri Lanka’s first international in England since winning the World Cup. Sri Lanka has only played 12 limited-overs matches in England since 1975, winning just two matches both in World Cup tournaments against India in 1979 and against New Zealand in 1983.

Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s longest serving international player, said the pressure was on England to win the triangular series after itsnew found success in the recent Test series against South Africa.

“Normally the pressure is on the World Cup winner to win any tournament it participates in. But I think this one will be different,” Ranatunga said.

England won its first major Test series in 12 years Monday, winning the fifth and final Test to clinch a 2-1 series win over South Africa.

“The home expectancy will be high and the crowd will want them to win everything from now onwards,” Ranatunga said.

Sri Lanka has won all five of its county one-day games leading up to the triangular, but Ranatunga sees South Africa as the main threat in this short series.

“South Africa is undoubtedly a far superior side compared with England. They bowl well and field brilliantly. For England, the only advantage they have is playing at home,” Ranatunga said.