Sri Lanka Cricket team are in big trouble as four players have been ruled out of the WI vs SL 2nd Test which is set to commence from July 3 (Friday). Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Ramesh Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are all out of the second Test in Antigua due to injury or illness. Sri Lanka are already 0-1 down in the series, having suffered an innings and 217-run defeat in the 1st Test. Now, the visitors will have to pick their playing XI from a 13-member squad instead of the initial 17-member group that was announced earlier.
Sri Lanka in big trouble ahead of WI vs SL 2nd Test
As per a press release issued by SLC, Lahiru Kumara is unavailable for selection for the WI vs SL 2nd Test as he is undergoing rehabilitation after sustaining a Grade 1 strain to his right hamstring. Fernando experienced a recurrence of right-sided lower back, trunk, and hip pain while bowling in the warm-up match. While he has shown improvement, he is yet to completely recover and hence, has been ruled out of the tie. Mendis contracted a bacterial infection during the tour and is yet to completely recover.
Meanwhile, Nissanka has travelled to the UK for a wrist surgery and will miss the 2nd Test. He struggled in the first West Indies Test, scoring 2 and 3 runs, and has decided to pull out of the tour. Nissanka is all but certain to miss the Lankan Premier League (LPL) and is also doubtful for the two-match Test series against India which will begin from August 15 onwards.
Isitha Wijesundara is expected to make his Test debut in the WI vs SL 2nd Test, given the number of injuries that the team has suffered. As per Cricinfo, Prabath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka’s top specialist spinner over the last three years – will enter the XI.
Sri Lanka squad for WI vs SL 2nd Test
Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara, Isitha Wijesundera
Cricket
IND vs ENG: India travel to Nottingham with Sanju Samson & Tilak Varma questions and untested bowling
