Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya is the latest to join Sri Lanka’s list of injured players and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Embuldeniya got struck on the thumb while attempting to pocket the return catch of Kagiso Rabada in South Africa’s first innings of the second Test. The player left the St George’s Park field with his hand covered in blood and will miss out on the rest of the Test – and up to six weeks of cricket action – after undergoing surgery on the same day.
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Sri Lanka had decided to play one frontline spinner in the decisive second Test in Port Elizabeth as the visitors looked to make history by becoming the first subcontinent team to win a Test series in South Africa.
The loss of Embuldeniya – who had picked up a fifer on his debut in Durban – resulted in the touring side having to turn to part-timer Dhananjaya de Silva to fill in as the spinning option.
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Embuldeniya becomes the latest Sri Lankan player to be injured, and he joins Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep on the sidelines as the resurgent tourists close in on a historic Test series victory in Port Elizabeth.
Lasith Embuldeniya, who sustained an injury on his left thumb ( fracture dislocation) while bowling during the 01st day of the ongoing 2nd test; has undergone a surgery. He will be out of action for several weeks. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/i3ikQ6oMXf
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) February 22, 2019
Sri Lanka squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain)
Niroshan Dickwella (vice-captain)
Lahiru Thirimanne
Kaushal Silva
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Perera
Milinda Siriwardana
Dhananjaya De Silva
Oshada Fernando
Angelo Perera
Suranga Lakmal
Kasun Rajitha
Vishwa Fernando
Chamika Karunaratne
Mohamed Shiraz
Lakshan Sandakan
Lasith Embuldeniya (injured)
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
