Home
Sri Lanka have suffered a significant blow ahead of their white-ball tour of England. The team will have to go ahead without their big man as captain Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series due to a hamstring injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Friday that the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter continues to recover from a right hamstring problem sustained during the Lanka Premier League in July. Mendis had already missed the recent Test series against India as a result of the injury.
Charith Asalanka, previously named vice-captain for the tour, will take over as captain for the T20Is. The update comes just two days after he was named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides. Meanwhile, along with him, Binura Fernando is also forced to withdraw his name from the squad following his rehabilitation.
Kusal Mendis ruled out of England T20Is; Asalanka to lead Sri Lanka
Fernando is suffering from a back injury. Top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake and fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka have been called up as replacements. The series begins on 15 September at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, followed by matches in Cardiff on 17 September and Manchester on 19 September. Meanwhile, Mendis may still be considered for the subsequent ODI leg of the tour.
ALSO READ: India vs Pakistan at Asia Cup: when and where to watch? Date, time, live stream & more
ADVERTISEMENT
