Shaminda Eranga, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, faced another setback after he was ruled out of the Test series against West Indies with a groin injury. Eranga sustained the injury during a period of rehabilitation.
The fast bowler, who has not played an international match since January 2015, missed the home Test series against Pakistan with a back issue, and the following series against India with a groin niggle.
“Eranga unfortunately has been really struggling to recover from a few of his injuries,” said chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene. “He started off with a back injury in December, and when he was recovering from that towards June-July he developed a groin injury, and since then every time he was rehabilitated and tried to get into the normal routine of bowling he had tightness in his hamstring.
“The physio Steve Mount is now really looking at taking him to a more medical solution. Eranga is likely to be ruled out for the upcoming West Indies series. The latest injury is he’s developed a groin injury.
“Every time he recovers he develops a new injury which is worrying us a little bit. When you are recovering from an injury your natural tendency is to protect that injury and invariably you end up putting strain on another part and you tend to tear that. That is what is happening. This is about the third time that he is experiencing a recurring injury.”
Eranga burst on to the scene in 2011 when he took a four-wicket haul on Test debut against Australia. He slowly but surely worked his way into the role as leader of the Sri Lankan bowling attack. In Sri Lanka’s historic Test series win in England in 2014, Eranga spearheaded the attack, scalping 11 wickets in two matches.
Constant injury worries has meant the mantle has now been taken up by Dhammika Prasad.
Wijegunwardene said that apart from Eranga the rest of the fast bowlers were fit and available for selection. “They are all looking lean and mean and ready to go. They do understand there is competition now and there are a few young boys yapping at their heels.”
Sri Lanka host West Indies for two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is in October and November. The first Test begins on October 14 in Galle.
