MAHELA JAYAWARDENE Right-hand batsman

FACTFILE DOB: 27.5.77 Test debut: v Sri Lanka, Colombo (Premadasa), 1997 ODI debut: v Zimbabwe, Colombo (Premadasa), 1998

Still pinholed as a future Test captain of Sri Lanka, Jaywardene had his first ever crisis when he endured a thoroughly miserable campaign in the Sri Lankan team which reached the World Cup semi-finals earlier this year.

So desperate was his run that he was even dropped from the team for a while but he has now re-established himself in the middle order.

The stats show a man who has always been happier scoring his runs in Test matches than in one-day internationals, but in truth he is a vital cog in both forms of the game.

His compact, uncomplicated stance uncoils to produce some delightful drives and he is one of the best pullers in Sri Lanka.