Spinner Maheesh Theekshana will not be available for Sri Lanka’s first match against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Head Coach Chris Silverwood confirmed to the media on the eve of the match in Delhi.
Reporting from Delhi
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“Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he won’t be available for this game. But we expect him to be available very soon. The rest of them are fine. “Silverwood said.
Theekshana sustained a hamstring injury during the Asia Cup 2023 – Super Four stage match against Pakistan and then missed the Asia Cup final against India.
He did not feature in any of the warm-up games versus Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Guwahati. He joined the team on the 4th of October in Delhi and took part in training sessions on the 5th and 6th of October.
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According to reliable sources, Theekshana may not be available for selection for Sri Lanka’s second game of the competition for the Pakistan game on the 10th of October as well. Therefore, the 23-year-old could only begin his first 50-over World Cup campaign against Australia on the 16th of October in Lucknow.
Sri Lanka is expected to field three front-line fast bowlers in their tournament opener with Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka set to form the seam attack.
