Fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara have both been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s second and final Test against Australia through injury.
Kumara’s injury became apparent during the first Test, which Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 40 runs. He didn’t take to the field during the final session of the second day, and scans revealed a right-hamstring tear. He will miss the remainder of the tour as he recovers.
The specifics of Chameera’s injury have not yet been made known, but Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal made clear that replacements would be needed. “Kumara is out for four to six weeks,” he said after the match. “So he’s out of the next game. And Dushmantha is also injured. So we’ll need to get another two quick bowlers.”
The pair joins Angelo Mathews and fellow quick Nuwan Pradeep on the treatment table, both of whom, like Kumara, have hamstring injuries. The other pace options in the squad are Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando.
Should Sri Lanka opt for a like-for-like replacement for next week’s second Test at Manuka Oval, right-armer Kasun Rajitha appears the man most likely to be called up
Rajitha has played three Tests, including last month’s clash with New Zealand in Wellington, and took three wickets against a Cricket Australia XI in a warm-up match in Hobart last week.
The second Test begins on 1 February, and will be the first-ever played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
