Sri Lanka handicapped with Hasaranga’s injury blow
The 26-year-old has a grade III tear in his hamstring and medics are racing against time to see how best, and fast, they can get him back on the field. Prof. Arjuna de Silva, Head of the Sri Lanka Cricket Medical Panel, said, however, that “the chances are very remote”.While undergoing rehabilitation after he sustained a hamstring injury during the Lanka Premier League, Hasaranga damaged the same muscle during training this week which will keep him out of action for a minimum of four to six weeks.
“We are consulting foreign doctors to see whether he needs surgery or not. If he does, he will be out for at least three months. At the moment, the situation is not that great and it’s highly unlikely if he can play the World Cup,” Prof. de Silva said.
“Since he is a key weapon in our attack, we are looking at other options to see how best we can get his services at least for important games. All that depends on the opinions of the consultant to whom we are trying to show his reports.”
Hasaranga’s absence will be a huge blow to the Sri Lankan side, who are without its strike bowler Dushmantha Chameera, himself undergoing rehabilitation for a pectoral muscle injury.
“Chameera is bowling at the moment but still complains of pain. We have consulted a doctor in the United Kingdom to see how best we could treat him,” Prof. de Silva said.
Though named in the squad, Hasaranga will not travel with the team on Tuesday (26) to India and Chief Selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe said, in the event of Hasaranga’s withdrawal from the squad, a replacement would be announced from the two travelling reserves — Dushan Hemantha and Chamika Karunaratne.
Hasaranga matched Waqar Younis’ record of five-wicket hauls in three consecutive ODIs at the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and finished with 22 wickets at an average of just 12.9.
Seamers Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka, who were ruled out of the Asia Cup due to injuries, have made full recovery and are named in the squad along with Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana, the two seamers who spearheaded the Sri Lankan attack during the Asia Cup. Pramod Madushan, who played the last two games of the Asia Cup replacing Rajitha, has gone out of favour along with left-arm seamer Binura Fernando.
Maheesh Theekshana hurt his right hamstring during their last Super Four game against Pakistan at the Asia Cup. He is in the squad after regaining full fitness. Also in the squad is young spinner Dunith Wellalage.
The selectors have retained the same batting unit that played the Asia Cup, despite questions over certain players. Of particular concern is the form of skipper Dasun Shanaka, who has been terribly out of form, and Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, dropped for the last two Sri Lanka games at the Asia Cup.
Out of the 17 nominated, including the two travelling reserves, only Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis have represented Sri Lanka at the 50-over World Cup.
Sri Lanka play Bangladesh in their first warm-up match on Thursday, followed by their second practice game on October 3 against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka will open their campaign against South Africa on October 7 in Delhi.
Although selections were concluded on Wednesday, Sri Lanka Cricket is yet announce the squad.
| Team | |
| World Cup squad:Dasun Shanaka (Capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan MadushankaTravelling reserves: Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha |