Sri Lanka will be without the services of their permanent Test Skipper Dimuth Karunarante for the 2nd Test match against England, which will be played at Galle from 22-26 January.
Karunaratne scored a century for Sri Lanka at The Wanderers Test against South Africa earlier this month. Unfortunately, he suffered a hairline fracture in his left thumb during that knock. The Skipper missed the first Test against England because of the discomfort from this injury. After the 7-wicket loss in Galle, Arthur gave an update on Karunaratne’s injury and said that the team management will take the final call soon. However, it is confirmed now that he will not take part in the next Test as well.
Photos – England tour of Sri Lanka 2021 – 1st Test | Day 04
Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis, who has failed to find his normal form with the bat, will be dropped from the next Test. Mendis has scored only 27 runs in his last 6 innings, including 4 consecutive ducks.
According to reliable sources, Sri Lanka Cricket has released 3 more players from the bio-bubble, reducing the squad to 17 from 22. Apart from Karunaratne and Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Minod Bhanuka and Lahiru Kumara will return home from Galle.
ThePapare.com learns that two more will be released after the playing XI is finalized on the day of the 2nd Test, keeping only 15 players in the squad.
Sri Lanka lost the first Test to England in rather embarrassing fashion and will hope to end the tour with a win to draw the series.
