SL name captain for Champions Trophy

The selectors opted for Jayawardene as there were still worries about Atapattu's fitness.

In-form batsman Mahela Jayawardene was named captain of the Sri Lankan squad that will take part in the upcoming Champions Trophy in India.

HT Image

Although opening batsman and former captain Marvan Atapattu was named in the side, Sri Lankan selectors opted for Jayawardene at the helm as there were still worries about Atapattu's fitness.

"Well see how Marvan goes. He might not play all matches during the Champions Trophy and we want to take a look at his match fitness," chief selector Asantha de Mel said.

Atapattu has not played since February this year after undergoing back surgery and Jayawardene has been leading in his absence.

Atapattu was, however, picked for the recent one-day series against India which had to be called off due to rain.

Jayawardene has enjoyed an excellent run since taking over the captaincy, as he squared a Test series in England before prevailing 5-0 in the one-dayers and then blanked South Africa 2-0 at home in Tests.

He has been in tremendous form as well, having shared in a world record 624-run partnership with vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara in the first Test against South Africa, himself scoring 374.