Sri Lanka National Test team touring South Africa has been hit with a plethora of injuries as they look to turn the tables in the second Test at Johannesburg.
Sri Lanka lost the first assignment on the tour in a fairly embarrassing fashion after all the expectations that had been built up courtesy of their series win in the last tour to the rainbow nation. However, the visitors faced a defeat by an innings and 45 runs at Centurion, registering their 1st loss in last five games against Proteas.
Sri Lanka lost the stylish batsman Dhananjaya de Silva who looked comfortable and fluent at Centurion due to a grade 2 tear on his thigh, ruling him out of the ongoing series against South Africa and may miss the upcoming Test series against England as well.
During South Africa’s 1st innings, seamers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara were injured as the pair returned to the middle only to bat. Later, it was revealed that both bowlers will not any part of the current tour.
4th casualty of the first Test match was former skipper Dinesh Chandimal who looked promising in South African fast pitches but unfortunately picked up a groin injury while batting on day 03 of the Test. ThePapare.com learns that he will not be taking part in the second Test as well.
Undoubtedly the most fatal blow for Sri Lanka was reported when Suranga Lakmal pulled his hamstring during the practices before the first Test as Sri Lanka lost their leader of the bowling attack for the Centurion Test. He was expected to be fit for the 2nd Test but has failed the fitness Test on 1st of January ruling him out of the New Year Test.
Sri Lanka team manager Ashantha de Mel has told ESPN Cricinfo, “Suranga did a fitness test earlier today and failed it, we’ll have to start upping his workloads and build him up, otherwise, he could get injured again.”
“What the doctor says is that when you’re tired, the first area that feels the strain is the groin, I’ve never been on a tour with so many injuries. We’ve not played a Test match since February, so that must have had an effect.” He added.
Sri Lanka will also miss the services of Oshada Fernando who was injured way back in November in his very first match of Lanka Premier League. He hurt his ankle while searching for a run and the MRI scans done after that indicated he would be sidelined for at least two weeks. However, the selectors were hoping he would recover completely before the 2nd Test at Johannesburg but it seems not the case.
Add Angelo Mathews to this list and Sri Lanka is currently looking at 7 injuries in their initial 22-man squad. Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga is also doubtful and will be assessed before the 2nd Test to take a final call.
SL Playing XI in 1st Test – Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Benched players in 1st Test – Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Santhush Gunathilake, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Four players (or potentially five if Wanindu Hasaranga is not fit) have to be replaced in the playing XI for the second Test. So, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dushmantha Chameera will be automatic entries to make the line-up while at least 2 players will make their Test debuts on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium. Wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka and Asitha Fernando will be the front runners to debut on Sunday. (Other choices will be either Santhush Gunathilaka or Dilshan Madushanka)
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