SL in Zim: Chandimal expected to be fit for ODI Series

There is a huge possibility that the injured Lankan vice captain Dinesh Chandimal would join the Lankan tour squad for the Zimbabwe tri-nation ODI series with West Indies which begins on November 14 with their match against the host nation.   

With the tour captain Rangana Herath already retired from the limited overs version, in all probability Chandimal would wrest back his captaincy in place of regular captain Angelo Mathews who is also sidelined with an injury. 

Early this week just prior to the departure of the Sri Lanka squad to Zimbabwe Mathews complained of a niggle in his right calf and an MRI scan was done on it. 

As injury doubts persist with his leg Mathews has been medically advised not to travel. 

Mathews will not be available for the tour of Zimbabwe. 

Skipper Mathews picked up the injury to his right calf muscle during the fourth ODI against Australia at Dambulla and thus handed over the captaincy to Chandimal. 

 “Chandimal has recovered from his finger injury and is very likely to be a part of the Zimbabwe ODI series,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Ssecretary Mohan de Silva stated.
 
Chandimal had surgery after he suffered multiple dislocations around the right thumb area while engaged in a domestic tournament. 

Meanwhile the SLC secretary also delved into the furore on the sidelining of the most experienced fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Dhammika Prasad. 

Both cricketers were not included in the national cricket contract for this year. 

Prasad who represents game in all three segments has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the country, but, ironically is constantly besieged with injury. 

After returning home with an injury at the beginning of the Sri Lanka tour of England, Prasad has not been a part of the Lankan contingent. 

It is said that the bowler would be out of action for at least six months. 

De Silva commenting in the situation said “Besides the seventeen names that we have already named in the contracts, there is a list of another thirteen which is to be announced. Besides the SLC is looking after the welfare (medically) of both Malinga and Prasad so the moment they are fit to join the training programme they would be included in the contract. There is nothing to get alarmed about.”