The injury prone Sri Lanka cricket team is likely to miss the services of five senior players for the second Test from January 3 to 7 at Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
According to team sources, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha will definitely miss the second Test and the entire England series, while Lahiru Kumara and Dinesh Chandimal are likely to miss the second Test commencing this Sunday. Lahiru Kumara and Dinesh Chandimal have aggravated their groin injuries and are under the watchful eyes of the team medical staff, who are working tirelessly to have them fit for the second Test, and in a worst case scenario to get their services for the England series next month.
Injuries to the four players occurred by the end of day three of the first Test, where Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating innings and 45 runs defeat by the fourth day. Only six players from the original playing eleven are fit for the second Test which begins in four days’ time. All four players are hampered by muscle injuries, which proves that all of them were underprepared for this tour.
After posting a challenging first inning total of 396 runs, Sri Lanka faced an initial blow when Dhananjaya de Silva, who was in prime form scoring 79 not out, could not continue the following day and had to retire with a thigh strain. Following this, opening bowler Kasun Rajitha aggravated a groin injury after bowling a mere eleven balls. To make matters worse, they further lost Lahiru Kumara who incurred a similar injury, sidelining him from day two.
Skipper Dimuth and Kusal Mendis had to play a supporting role by bowling a few overs. Chandimal limped to the pavilion at stumps on day three, but batted with pain without any feet movement to scored 25 runs in the second inning.
The Lankan camp is likely to use the services of the other batsmen and fast bowlers who are in the squad for the second Test.
National coach Mickey Arthur and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne accepted that the team’s fitness levels were below par due to lack of training time, mainly owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, where they were limited to a few training camps followed by the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Virtually the entire Sri Lankan squad participated in that competition, which involved playing back-to-back matches with little rest in-between, until their departure from Colombo.
In the event of Dinesh Chandimal not being fit for the second Test, it will be a tussle between left handers Lahiru Thirimanne and Vinod Bhanuka to occupy the number four slot.
Wanindu Hasaranga who made a promising Test debut by scoring a half century in the second inning, while also claiming wickets, is also nursing an injury. While fielding a ball struck his right leg which caused him enormous pain and he was seen limping. As per team sources he is still suffering from the swelling and pain, which is also being treated by the team medical staff. According to them, there is a strong possibility he will be fit for the game on Sunday.
Meanwhile, paceman Suranga Lakmal, who was sidelined well before the first Test due to a hamstring injury, is slowly but steadily recovering and was seen bowling a few overs in the last few days at the nets. He is likely to undergo a final fitness test on January 1, after which a decision will be taken whether to include him in the team. The Lankan camp will undergo a PCR test today.
Pretorius released from BSE
Meanwhile, Migael Pretorius has been released from the Bio-Secure Environment (BSE) due to a muscle injury to his right shoulder. He will go back to his franchise for rehabilitation. Beuran Hendricks has been called-up to the Proteas Test squad following completion of thorough and successful COVID-19 and pre-BSE entry protocols. He joined the team last evening.
The left-arm seamer will begin training with the team with immediate effect ahead of the second ‘Betway Test’ match against Sri Lanka. South Africa is currently 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Proteas Squad for second Test: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Dwaine Pretorius, Sarel Erwee, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Beuran Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla, Raynard van Tonder.
0 comments:
Post a Comment