Muttiah Muralitharan has been included in the squad for the limited-overs tour of Australia in November as Sri Lanka build their team for the 2011 World Cup. Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors, said Murali remained an important part of the one-day set up, though he had retired from Tests and didn't play the recent tri-series in Sri Lanka which also involved India and New Zealand.
"Muralitharan is definitely part of our World Cup plans and we have included him to give him some international exposure ahead of the big event," de Silva said. Murali had retired from Tests during the home series against India in July but said he would be available for the World Cup if selected. He recently played an important role in Chennai Super Kings' victory in the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa.
Suraj Randiv, another offspinner, was also picked in the 16-man squad but de Silva said only one spinner was likely to play on Australian pitches. "Jeevan Mendis, who bowls legspin, and Tillakaratne Dilshan's offspin can also be utilised," he said.
The squad has five seamers - Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad and Thisara Perera - to suit Australian conditions. Allrounder Angelo Mathews' selection is subject to fitness as he recovers from an injured left knee and Thilina Kandamby has been put on standby.
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