Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s three-match ODI series against England due to a lower back ailment. The 29-year-old leg-spinner felt a problem during a practice session and missed the first two games of the series.
Sri Lanka confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga is being returned home to undertake rehabilitation, therefore ruling him out of the remaining matches. The development is a significant setback for the touring team, which is already trailing England 1-0 after losing the first ODI by 89 runs at Chester-le-Street.
The second ODI is in underway at Headingley in Leeds. Captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bat, scoring a fluent 121 off 100 balls, laying the groundwork for the tourists to post a commanding first-innings total.
What does Wanindu Hasaranga absence entail for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming matches?
Hasaranga’s departure for rehabilitation raises questions about his availability for a demanding October schedule. Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in a three-match Twenty20 International series at Rawalpindi on October 9, 11, and 13. An ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka, England, and Pakistan is then scheduled from October 18 to October 31.
The recovery date has not been confirmed by Sri Lanka’s management. Given the high volume of international cricket in October, the team’s medical staff will closely monitor Wanindu Hasaranga progress before making a decision on his comeback.
How did Sri Lanka manage to bowl without Wanindu Hasaranga in this series?
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has had to be reorganised in both of their previous encounters. The absence of their major spin option contributed to a devastating defeat in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, which England won by 89 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
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Sri Lanka reacted positively with the bat in the second ODI at Headingley, when Mendis chose to bat first. The series is still alive, but the tourists must win both remaining matches to avoid defeat, and they have had to shift their bowling duty throughout due to the absence of one of their most consistent wicket-takers. Sri Lanka’s frontline spinners in the second ODI are Sachindu Colombage and Dunith Wellalage.
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