Malinda Warnapura became the favorite to open the batting in the first Test starting on the weekend when he retired out on 50 in Sri Lanka's second innings against the Guyana Cricket Board President's XI on Wednesday. Warnapura made 132 in the Sri Lanka first innings and he retired out for the second time in the match, as Sri Lanka, leading by 244 on first innings, reached 177 for six before the three-day (non-first class) tour match at the Guyana National Stadium was called off at tea on the third and final day. With Sri Lanka shopping around for an opener to replace Sanath Jayasuriya and to partner Michael Vandort at the top of the order, Warnapura has grabbed the opportunity in this warm-up match to advertise his fitness for the position. Warnapura struck seven boundaries from 93 balls in just over two hours at the crease an propped up the wobbly Sri Lanka batting a second time around. Chaminda Vaas hit an unbeaten 40 and Prasanna Jayawardene scored 36 to support Warnapura and save the visitors some blushes after the dipped to 83 for three just after lunch. Davendra Bishoo was the most successful of the home team's bowler with three wickets for 25 runs 13 overs. The first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka will contested from March 22 at this same venue, and the second Test will be from April 3 at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. The first two One-Day Internationals will be on April 10 and 12 at Queen's Park Oval, and the third ODI will be a day/night affair at the Beausejour Stadium in St. Lucia on April 15.Zondeki replaces Langeveldt Monde Zondeki was Wednesday named as the replacement for fellow fast bowler Charl Langeveldt as the controversy over South Africa's selection policy continued. Andre Nel, who was controversially left out for Langeveldt to conform with Cricket South Africa's transformation policy, was again overlooked. Zondeki's selection maintained the target of six players of color in the 14-man squad.Mills out of Test New Zealand pace bowler Kyle Mills has been ruled out of the third Test against England after breaking down during training on Thursday. Mills had a scan on a niggling injury behind his left knee on Monday and declared himself fit before practice on Thursday but he broke down after bowling about two overs in the nets. Mills said he had sustained the injury during the first Twenty20 international against England in February. “It's something I haven't had before. I've had strains and tears before and I know what they feel like but this is just at the back of the knee,” Mills told reporters. “It all started in the T20 game back at Eden Park (which) is sand based and I dove into it and got jammed up really. Teenager Tim Southee could be handed his debut after being called into the side following the second Test loss at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. __
