The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Jayasuriya set to arrive in England

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Saturday, May 13, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Jayasuriya set to arrive in England

LONDON: Sanath Jayasuriya will join the Sri Lanka cricket team in England within the next few days, coach Tom Moody said on Thursday.

The prolific batsman was recalled this week after announcing his retirement from Test cricket a month ago, but Moody didn't know the detail of his reinstatement to the squad.

``I understand that he's coming here in the next few days and I'm yet to have a conversation with the people in Colombo,'' Moody said.

Moody seemed determined not to let news of Jayasuriya's return act as a distraction for the squad in England for a three-Test series, which began on Thursday.

``My focus at the moment is the squad of players I've got here and this Test match and this series,'' Moody said.

``If we have someone joining us, that would be also added to the focus that I have, but there's no point in me worrying too much about what's happening in Colombo when I've got an important Test match to prepare for and see through.''

Asked whether Jayasuriya's earlier-than-planned return to the squad was a good thing, Moody said: ``If he's fit and back in form it can't be a bad thing, can it?

``He's a devastating player. He has been so for Sri Lanka for many, many years. He's obviously still a very key component to our one-day campaign,'' Moody added. — AP

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