The Sri Lankan national cricket team has been injured ahead of the upcoming two Test matches series against the Australian national cricket team at home. All-rounder Kamindu Mendis and batter Pathum Nissanka are doubtful for the series opener against the Steve Smith-led side due to injuries.
Australia’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka will begin in Galle on January 29, with both Test matches being part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia have already secured a place in the WTC final against South Africa later this year. After the upcoming Test series teams will compete in the two-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka face injury setbacks ahead of Test series against Australia
Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine shared about it news Ahead of the Australian series. Kamindu Mendis injured his hand trying to take a catch in a first-class game, requiring stitches for torn tissue. Pathum Nissanka is already doubtful to open the series due to groin strain.
“Not the best news from SSC with the Australia series less than two weeks away. Kamindu Mendis tore his rope and needed stitches for a catch during the First Class game between SSC and CCC today. Pathum Nissanka is now a doubt with a groin strain,” Clementine wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Best news from the SSC with the Australian series less than two weeks away. Kamindu Mendis tore his string trying to catch and bowl the necessary seams during the First Class match between SSC and CCC today. Pathum Nissanka is already suspected with a groin strain.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) January 17, 2025
Pathum Nissanka picked up a groin injury during the Third ODI in New Zealand
Pathum Nissanka suffered a groin injury during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. Nissanka batted aggressively and scored a half-century off just 31 balls, but had to retire injured when he appeared to injure himself on his fifty.
MRI scans confirmed a Grade 1 hernia, raising doubts over his availability for the second Test against Australia on February 6. The Sri Lanka Test squad, to be announced shortly, is scheduled to begin training in Galle on Monday, January 20. .
The great Sri Lanka Cricket official downplays the severity of Kamindu Mendis’ hand injury
Less than two weeks before the start of the series against Australia, Kamindu Mendis suffered a hand injury that required stitches. According to NewsWire, a senior Sri Lanka Cricket official downplayed the violence.
However, a senior Sri Lankan Cricket official played down the intensity, saying, “I think Kamindu will be fine; only 1 or 2 stitches”.
Pat Cummins opted to skip Australia’s two-Test tour to Sri Lanka and Cricket Australia named 35-year-old Steve Smith as captain. Smith led Australia in 38 Tests, securing 21 wins and 10 losses, but his captaincy saw Australia lose 3-0 in Sri Lanka in 2016.
Despite being Australia’s best white-ball spinner for nearly a decade, Adam Zampa Not included in test setup. Australia have selected Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann as their main spin options for the tour.
Apart from the frontline spinners, Australia included all-rounders and part-time spinners like Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly on the tour. Glenn Maxwell, who last played a first-class game in July 2023, has not been included despite his experience in subcontinental conditions.
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