Muralitharan Back for New Zealand Tests

Colombo: World bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan will reinforce Sri Lanka for next week's first Test against New Zealand after missing the Pakistan series due to injury.

Muralitharan, who has a record 770 Test wickets, recovered from the knee injury and was included in a 15-man squad for the first Test at Galle from August 18, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a media release.

Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who also missed the three Tests against Pakistan because of a finger injury, was back in the squad for the first of two Test against the Black Caps.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, who kept wickets against Pakistan in place of Jayawardene and suffered injuries in the hand and face during the third Test, was also named in the squad.

The second Test will be played at the Sinhalese sports club in Colombo from August 26.

Squad: Kumar Sangakkara (C), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Rangana Herath.

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