Sanath Jayasuriya appears to have flown to England in vain after captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka would stick to its youth policy.
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Schedule: Sri Lanka in England
Former skipper Jayasuriya has been left out of a 12-man squad for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Young openers Upul Tharanga and Michael Vandort, who replaces Jehan Mubarak from the drawn Lord's Test, were preferred.
"He (Jayasuriya) was in the fold but we realised that when we started the tour we had a youth policy and told the young guys that we would give them the necessary opportunities," Jayawardene told reporters.
"So if we didn't do that, it wouldn't be very nice.
"If somebody had done that to me when I was young I probably wouldn't be here. It's a big decision but we have to give them the opportunities they deserve."
Jayasuriya, 37 next month, retired from Tests after the home series against Pakistan in April, intending to continue his one-day international career through to the 2007 World Cup.
He was flown over to England shortly before the first Test as cover for youngsters who were struggling with the early season seaming conditions in England.
That decision was taken by chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel without the knowledge of team coach Tom Moody.
Although he refused to rule out Jayasuriya playing in the third and final Test at Trent Bridge next week, Jayawardene hinted it was unlikely.
Jayawardene, who scored his second successive Test century at Lord's in last week's stunning second innings comeback, was confident Jayasuriya understood the policy and would not sulk.
"Tom had a chat to him after his arrival and briefed him about what we wanted to do and he's happy to be in that fold and has accepted that decision," the skipper said.
"It was a tough one, but we only have another four Test matches this year and by the end of the year we need to have two young guys opening who will be opening for Sri Lanka for the next five years hopefully.
EXPERIENCE NEEDED
"Whether they're the guys here or whether we have to find new ones, that is the reality. This is good experience for them and for us it will be a good investment for the future.
"Sanath coming into the side is still good because, as a captain, it gives me more options and with his experience he will definitely help the young guys. That is what he wants to do. He's a good guy and is brilliant in the dressing room."
Sri Lanka have still to decide whether they wish to play seven batsmen and four bowlers, as they did at Lord's, or go with six and five. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga seems likely to get a recall.
"He's quite difficult with his action," Jayawardene said. "Two years ago he was probably a bit wayward but he's disciplined himself and knows exactly the areas he has to bowl.
"He can be a handful, which some of the international sides have realised.
"He does offer us something different, more variety in the attack. He has put his hand up and said he wants to have a crack at the English.
"It would be great to give him that opportunity but it depends on what combination we go for."
