Informed sources have said that a row has broken out between the selectors, headed by Ashantha de Mel and the Minister of Sport Gamini Lokuge before the final names were released through the media on Wednesday afternoon.

The sources say that former opening batsman Upul Tharanga's name was scratched off the list and Jayasuriya, who is in line to become a politician for the governing party to which Lokuge is a member.

Jayasuriya is a candidate in the forthcoming general elections for the ruling UNPA for the district of Matara. The elections are to be held on April 8.

A second change was that of Chinthaka Jayasinghe for the talented Jeewan Mendis with, neither of whom are playing in the Indian Premier League.

Left-handed Jayasuriya, a former national captain has been accused before of using political influence to sidestep the selectors to earn selection. He was dropped as an opener for the ODI series in India last year and brought in as an all-rounder, but with little success.

He has been dropped as well by the Mumbai Indians after a poor run of form and the management's decision to opt for other foreign players.

Courtesy: Cricket Next