Perera back in the fold

Ruchira Perera has an impressive record against England © Getty Images

Ruchira Perera has been recalled by Sri Lanka for the NatWest Series after being forced out of the previous tour to England due to suspicion over his bowling.

Left-arm seamer Perera, 29, is one of three new faces to the tour for the five-match campaign, having rebuilt his action and his career in the past four years.

He was at the centre of controversy in 2002 when the legitimacy of his bowling action initially came under scrutiny on live television and radio.

After claiming five wickets in the opening Test match at Lord's - his best return at the highest level - the umpires reported their own suspicions to the International Cricket Council.

England batsman Mark Butcher then weighed into the debate in his local newspaper column, suggesting when Perera bowled short “he just runs up and throws it at you” and was subsequently fined for his observations by the ECB.

Perera, who also took three wickets against England on his one-day debut in Perth in 1999, did not play any further part in that summer's internationals.

Sri Lanka have also added extra firepower to the tourists’ pace attack with the inclusion of Dilhara Fernando, and included experienced limited-overs specialist Russel Arnold.

They will add some know-how to a young touring group buoyed by their draw in the npower Test series.

Four of the XI that levelled matters with a 134-run victory at Trent Bridge on Monday are 22 or younger and captain Mahela Jayawardene views the result as a significant block as they build towards developing a side to challenge in all conditions.

“We always knew coming up against England would be tough - they are a very good team - but working with the young guys has been brilliant,” said Jayawardene.

“They want to learn, we were patient with them, they will make mistakes, but that's the way to go forward.

“That was another brick in the wall - we shouldn't get over-confident in what we have achieved.

“There are a lot of areas we have to improve in the whole unit and it will take some time, not just happen overnight.

“We have to make sure we are ready for the
one-day series and focus again with what is in hand.”

A recurring no-ball problem ruled Fernando out of the full tour but he has a good record against England in limited-overs cricket, with 15 wickets in half a dozen games at a cost of less than 20 apiece.

But for injury the 27-year-old would arguably have doubled his 87 caps and his ability to ruffle batsman with his pace in mid-innings has earnt him a return.

Arnold, 32, has not played a Test for two years but has proved himself an automatic selection in the shorter form of the game.

Cast in the role of finisher, coming in as the situation suits, the left-hander enjoyed a productive winter, scoring three half-centuries in four one-day internationals against Australia during the VB Series.

He can also bowl tidy off-spin and will add to the side's ability in the field.

The arrival of the trio means Nuwan Zoysa, Nuwan Kulasekera, Michael Vandort, Jehan Mubarak, Thilan Samaraweera and reserve wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene return home following the shared Test series.

Squad:

Mahela Jayawardene (captain)
Kumar Sangakkara (wicket-keeper)
Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga
Tillekeratne Dilshan
Chamara Kapugedera
Russel Arnold
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Lasith Malinga
Muttiah Muralitharan
Dilhara Fernando
Ruchira Perera
Malinga Bandara