Colombo, July 24: Sri Lanka were hit hard by injury concerns ahead of the second Test set to commence on Monday here at the SSC and Lasith Malinga, who won the man of the match award in the Galle Test, has been ruled out for at least a week owing to a stiff knee.
“Losing Lasith is a big blow for us. But we need to look at the bigger picture and it will be good if we can have him fully fit for the third Test at P. Sara Oval. The new bowlers who are coming in will get an opportunity and hopefully they’ll do the job for us,” said home captain Kumar Sangakkara.
The hosts could have a entirely new bowling line up for the upcoming match. Ajantha Mendis who picked up 26 wickets in three Tests in 2008 against India is all set for a comeback. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is expected to be replaced by off-spinner Suraj Randiv. Chanaka Welegedera who dismissed Virender Sehwag twice in Galle could also be making way for Dammika Prasad. Dilhara Fernanado in all probability take the place vacated by Malinga.
Chairman of selectors, Aravinda de Silva said Malinga was rested on the advice of team physio Tommy Simsek. The bowler had complained of stiffness in his right knee, an injury that kept him out of Test cricket for more than two years. Malinga did not take the field during the closing stages of India’s second innings in the first Test, though he bowled 30 overs in Galle to take seven wickets and also contribute a crucial 60 with the bat.
There was widespread criticism for Mendis not being named in the squad after he took 6/67 against the Indians in the tour game in Colombo. “The main reason why we left Mendis out was to give him confidence. He was always going to be in the reckoning after the first Test once Murali retires.
“It worked perfectly well for us as Mendis played the warm up game and did well and now when he comes back to the remaining two Tests, he will be confident,” said Aravinda.
The form of Mendis has also dipped in recent times at the international level but Sangakkara was not perturbed. “I don’t think Mendis has been on the wane it is just that we expected too much from him. A bowler comes on and takes so many wickets in his first series will be worked on by the batsmen.