Massive injury blow to Sri Lanka as Herath set to miss the 3rd Test

08/08/2017

Rangana Herath has become the latest name to join the growing injury list of Sri Lanka squad as the veteran spinner gets ruled out of the third Test owing to his back injury. With the series already out of their hands and a busy few months coming up ahead, the staff has decided not to risk him.

There seems to be no respite for the Lankan cricket team as they received another blow in the form of an injury to Rangana Herath, who becomes the fourth player to take to the treatment table in the past two weeks. This comes ahead of their third and final Test against India to be played in Pallekele, starting August 12.

According to Cricbuzz, the 39-year-old is set to miss the last Test in an attempt to be fit for the five-match ODI series, with the Test series already out of their hands. A Sri Lanka cricket source told Cricbuzz, "Rangana complained about back pain and we don't want to take any chances with him. He is our leading bowler and we have a hectic season ahead. Hence we thought not to risk him for the final game of the series already lost."

Herath will be joining batsman Asela Gunaratne, who is recovering from a fractured left thumb and bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep, who are recovering from back and hamstring problems respectively. The timely return of skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the first Test due to illness, will be a huge boost.

Sri Lanka are likely to bring in fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera for Pradeep, but Herath remains a hard man to replace. He is Lanka’s highest wicket taker with 389 Test wickets to his name and is the most experienced of the lot. Age has clearly taken a toll on him and the administration has to use him judiciously to get the best out of him.

Herath has bowled 151 overs in the last three Tests in just over three weeks. Now, with the ODI series coming up against India followed by Sri Lanka’s tour to UAE where they play Pakistan, the board would want him at his best.

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Massive injury blow to Sri Lanka as Herath set to miss the 3rd Test

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