Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and right-arm fast bowler Suranga Lakmal
have been called up to Sri Lanka's squad for the third Test in Sydney,
after two players suffered series-ending injuries and two more remain in
doubt after the Boxing Day Test. Kumar Sangakkara's fractured hand and
Chanaka Welegedara's torn hamstring have ruled them out for the
remainder of Sri Lanka's tour of Australia, while Prasanna Jayawardene
and Nuwan Kulasekara's fitness will be reassessed in the lead-up to the
third Test, though it is unlikely that Kulasekara will play.
Thirimanne had been on Sri Lanka's stand-by list for the tour, and as
such had already secured visa clearance to enter Australia, and will
arrive on January 1, two days before the match. Lakmal, though, had not
been on standby, and will have to wait for his visa to be approved on
December 31. He will likely arrive in Australia on the eve of the Test.
Thisara Perera is the only fast bowler who was named on the standby
list, and is already in Australia competing in the Big Bash League, but
he was not considered as his bowling form was deemed inadequate for Test
selection. Perera had suffered a side strain during the Sri Lanka
Premier League in August, and though he has been bowling in
limited-overs cricket, the captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was yet to
build up the number of overs required to come into Test contention in
the lead up to the Melbourne Test.
Lakmal is also coming back into the international team after an injury
layoff, having undergone surgery on his ankle. His last Test appearance
was against England in April, but he has been in good form in Sri
Lanka's domestic one-day tournament in December, having taken 13 wickets
at 20.46 in six matches. He is unlikely to play in Sydney however, as
the fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep has been with the team throughout the tour
and is next in line for a game. Sri Lanka may also decide to field two
spinners, depending on the surface, in which case Suraj Randiv will
play.
Thirimanne meanwhile, will only play if Prasanna Jayawardene is deemed
unfit. Sri Lanka next train on December 31, and a decision will be made
on his participation after that session. Dinesh Chandimal will take the
gloves in his place.
Kulasekara is not expected to be fit to play in Sydney, but will stay
with the team for the ODI series, which begins on January 11.
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