Injured Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play the first Test against Australia in Galle, starting Wednesday. Nissanka is undergoing rehabilitation in Colombo for the groin strain he suffered during the third T20I against New Zealand earlier this month. He has not joined the rest of the team in Galle, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo. The Sri Lanka team management hopes that he will be available for the second Test which will begin on February 6.
The remaining 17 players in Sri Lanka’s Test squad are expected to be available, according to team manager Halangoda. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, recovering from a side strain, and Kamindu Mendis, who suffered a ruptured membrane during the domestic matches in the last two weeks, traveled with the team to Galle.
With Nissanka unavailable, Sri Lanka needs a second opening match to go along with Dimuth Karunaratne. The most likely option is Oshada Fernando, who opened in 19 Test innings. Another possibility is debutant Lahiru Udara, a specialist opener at national level. Batsman-wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama is also in contention.
The two-Test series will be played at the iconic Galle International Stadium, a venue known for its spin-friendly conditions, which could be pivotal to Sri Lanka’s strategy. Spinners like Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris are expected to play crucial roles.
The visitors are facing injury problems, most notably the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. In his place, Steve Smith will lead the team.
Australia’s strong performance in the WTC cycle has already secured its place in the final against South Africa in June. However, the team will not take this series lightly as the spin-heavy conditions in Galle will test their ability to adapt, especially without Cummins leading the pace attack.
For Sri Lanka, this series is a golden opportunity to make significant progress in the WTC standings. Sri Lanka, currently in fifth place, could overtake New Zealand and potentially India with a series win, depending on other results.
Sri Lanka Test Team: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated channel.)
Topics mentioned in this article.
By
