SLC thinks Asela Gunaratne not ready for India tour yet

11/19/2017

Sri Lanka’s batting all-rounder Asela Gunaratne is unlikely to join the national team for the next two Tests against India as the selection committee is still uncertain about his match fitness. However, chairman of selectors Graeme Labrooy has confirmed that he would be back for the ODIs.

Gunaratne had fractured his left thumb in the first Test, against India, at Galle, when India had toured Sri Lanka earlier this year and was out for months due to the injury. However, he was medically cleared for Sri Lanka’s tour to India before the board decided to refrain from naming him in the squad. The plan was for Gunaratne to play a few domestic games and fly to India ahead of the second Test in Nagpur.

However, as it turns out, the board is still not confident that the all-rounder is ready for India.

“He has played two games now since the injury. He bowled, batted and fielded and has come good. We discussed about him, but feel this is not the moment to bring him back, but he will be certainly back for the ODIs," Labrooy told Cricbuzz on Saturday.

In the meantime, Gunaratne has played in an inter-regiment game last week before participating in the competitive cricket for Army SC this week, playing for the Sri Lankan Army. He is expected to play more games before leaving for the limited-overs format series.

"There's no point of sending him to India and making him to sit on the bench. We are better off getting him to play some competitive games. We will also see what's the requirement of team management, leave it to them and then make a call," added Labrooy.

SLC thinks Asela Gunaratne not ready for India tour yet

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