Marvan Atapattu is set to complete a remarkable return for Sri Lanka after an eight-month absence by playing against a Chairman's XI in Adelaide on Saturday. Atapattu initially ruled himself out of the Australia tour following selection disputes which have rumbled since the World Cup in March, but he was finally persuaded to join the party a week before the team flew out, according to website cricinfo.
Government intervention also helped Atapattu's inclusion and the new coach Trevor Bayliss was bemused by the turn of events. "One minute he was in, the next he wasn't and now he is, so ... that's about all I know," he said. "The system is a little different to what I'm used to, that's for sure.
"What we've said all along is whatever we get dealt with, whatever barriers are put up, we will put up with that and play the game as best as we possibly can. He's been with the squad for the last week or so and he's fitted in very well. We're looking forward to a good tour from him, as well."
As Atapattu hasn't played a Test since 2005, he is likely to feature in both warm-up matches as Sri Lanka assess him ahead of the first Test in Brisbane from November 8. His return has been welcomed by his captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Problems arose during the World Cup when he was overlooked for every match and he was then left out of the one-day side for the series against Pakistan. Atapattu made himself unavailable for the Bangladesh Tests in July, saying he was not mentally prepared for Test cricket. Instead he played for the English side Lashings.
Atapattu in line for swift comeback
FE Team | Published: October 26, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
Share if you like