Maharoof among Sri Lanka ODI additions

Farveez Maharoof, the all-rounder, has gained a spot in Sri Lanka's limited-overs side for its ODIs to be played against Ireland and England.

Farveez Maharoof's last international assignment was against Bangladesh in March, 2012.

All-rounder Farveez Maharoof is among five players to have been added to Sri Lanka's touring party for its one-day internationals (ODI) against Ireland and England. Sri Lanka will play the third and final match of a Test series with England at Lord's from Thursday, before switching to the 50-over format. Two ODIs in Ireland on June 16 and 18 will be followed by five contests against England.

Maharoof, who last represented his country in March 2012, has been rewarded for fine form in Sri Lanka's domestic List A competition, while his experience of conditions in the UK - following a successful stint with Lancashire - is also likely to have been considered.

Also joining Sri Lanka's squad are off-spinner Suraj Randiv, leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, batsman Upul Tharanga and all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka.

It remains to be seen how many member of the Test party will be released ahead of the ODIs, although Rangana Herath is sure to drop out after retiring from limited-overs cricket earlier this year. Kusal Perera, meanwhile, is hoping to be given a 'great opportunity' at Lord's, amid speculation he will be recalled to the Test team.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal was provisionally banned by the ICC last December, after the WADA-accredited laboratory in Qatar reported he had tested positive for 19-Norandrostenedione, a prohibited anabolic steroid. However, following a review by an independent expert, the laboratory subsequently withdrew its original finding, leading the ICC to clear Kusal for a return last month, the governing body stating 'there is no evidence that Mr Perera has ever used performance-enhancing substances'.

Kusal has since joined up with Sri Lanka's Test squad and said on Tuesday: "I haven't been told if I'm playing yet, but I was thrown into trouble and to come back from that at Lord's would be a great opportunity. I was banned just before a Test, so to return in this format would be fitting. Even the time I was out of the team I knew I hadn't done anything wrong. But these things can happen in life.

"What I've found is that because I'm coming into it quite fresh, I'm hitting the ball well. I'm seeing it well. So there are positives to it as well. I feel like I'm in good touch."