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Injured Jayasuriya to play against India

Sri Lanka's new captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been cleared to play in the Aiwa one-day triangular tournament match against India following a hand injury, the team manager said today.

Jayasuriya split the web between the thumb and forefinger in his right hand while attempting to stop a powerful drive by Australian batsman Ricky Ponting during the opening match of the tournament in southern Galle town on Sunday.

He received two stitches, but team manager Chandra Schaffter said that he would be playing against India in Sri Lanka's capital tomorrow.

''He hurt the webbing of his finger, but he is okay and should play,'' Schaffter said.

Jayasuriya was unable to shake hands with the Australian players after the match because of the injury and offered his left-hand instead.

Despite the injury he took his first haul of five wickets for 28 runs in one-day internationals, but Australia went on to beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs.

Australia's main strike bowler Glenn McGrath has been also sidelined during the first two matches of the tournament due to a strained thigh that he suffered during a one-day practice match against Sri Lanka's Board XI last week.

Victory in tomorrow's match between Sri Lanka and India will give either team a better chance of staying in contention for the finals after the World champions beat both sides comfortably.

The three teams play each other twice before the finals on August 31.

Meanwhile, local newspapers reported that Sri Lanka's umpires' committee is reviewing the participation of umpire D.N. Pathirana in the tournament following a controversial decision last Sunday.

Pathirana, acting as third umpire, gave Australian opener Adam Glichrist run out in the match against Sri Lanka even though television replays appeared to show the batsman had made his ground.

He is due to officiate in the day-and-night match between Sri Lanka and India tomorrow.

UNI