Sri Lanka were dealt another injury blow at the World Cup with seamer Lahiru Kumara ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a left thigh muscle injury sustained during training in Pune, the International Cricket Council said on Sunday.
Kumara, who produced a match-winning display with figures of 3-35 in Sri Lanka’s victory over defending champions England in Bengaluru on Thursday, will be replaced by fellow pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera. Chameera was not included in Sri Lanka’s initial 15-member World Cup squad after he suffered an injury during the Lanka Premier League. But later, the right-arm quick was called up as a travelling reserve along with veteran Angelo Mathews.
Chameera’s inclusion was approved by the Event Technical Committee on Sunday and the experienced right-armer could come into contention to replace Kumara for that pivotal match against Afghanistan.
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The 1996 champions, who are fifth in the table with two wins from five matches, will face Afghanistan in a crucial contest at Pune’s MCA International Stadium on Monday as they look to push for a semi-final spot.
While Chameera has plenty of experience for Sri Lanka with more than 100 appearances for his country, the loss of Kumara will be felt after he played a huge part in their upset victory over England in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Kumara picked up the key wickets of England skipper Jos Buttler and all-rounders Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone during Sri Lanka’s eight-wicket triumph and has collected five scalps for his country through four appearances at the tournament.
Sri Lanka have had bad luck with injuries in the tournament, with three replacements coming into the 15-member squad. Chamika Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews earlier came in for regular skipper Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka currently have two wins from five appearances at the World Cup and sit in fifth place on the standings with four group matches remaining.
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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