Cricket: Sri Lanka Tour Of Australia, 2010; Murali's Swansong

The tour gets under way officially with a solitary T20I followed by five ODIs, and just five months ahead of the ICC World Cup, 2011, this is a short but important series for both teams.

Sri Lanka's squad for the limited overs series scheduled to happen later this month against Australia has been announced. The islanders start a five week long tour of Australia with a warm up fixture against Queensland on October 22.

Legendary spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, has been selected for the tour.

Legends of Sri Lanka cricket, Chaminda Vaas & Sanath Jayasuriya, although available, and having expressed their interest to participate in the tour, have not been selected.

The selectors have picked Suraj Randiv, Jeevan Mendis & Muralitharan as their main spinners.

Interestingly, Ajantha Mendis & Rangana Herath have also been dropped, but stay on a list of standby players as a replacements in case of injury.

Dhammika Prasad & Dilhara Fernando join Nuwan Kulasekara & Lasith Malinga as the main pace bowling options, while Angelo Mathews & Thisara Perera play as all rounders who bowl medium pace.

Dinesh Chandimal, 20, has been selected instead of the experienced Thilan Samaraweera.

The squad: Kumar Sangakkara (C), Mahela Jayawardana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dilhara Fernanado, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suraj Randiv, Dhammika Prasad, Dinesh Chandimal,

Standby: Rangana Hearth, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Thilina Thushara, F. Maharoof.

Fixtures:

Oct 22 v Queensland, Brisbane (d/n, 50 overs)
Play starts at 0530 BST

Oct 24 v New South Wales, Sydney (d/n, 50 overs)
Play starts at 0420 BST

Oct 27 v New South Wales, Sydney (d/n, 20 overs)
Play starts at 0900 BST

Oct 31 Twenty20 international, Perth (d/n)
Play starts at 0935 GMT

Nov 03 1st ODI, Melbourne (d/n)
Play starts at 0320 GMT

Nov 05 2nd ODI, Sydney (d/n)
Play starts at 0320 GMT

Nov 07 3rd ODI, Brisbane (d/n)
Play starts at 0320 GMT