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Sri Lanka’s national cricket team suffered injury blows ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against the Australian national cricket team at home. All-rounder Kamindu Mendis and batsman Pathum Nissanka are doubtful for the series opener against the Steve Smith-led side due to their respective injuries.
Australia’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka will begin on January 29 in Galle, with both Tests as part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia have already secured a place in the WTC final against South Africa later this year. After the next series of tests, the teams will compete in a two-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka face injury setbacks ahead of Test series against Australia
Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine shared his concern news ahead of the Australia series. Kamindu Mendis injured his hand while attempting a catch in a first-class game, requiring stitches for a torn ligament. Pathum Nissanka is already doubtful for the series opener due to a groin strain.
“Not the best news coming from SSC with the Australia series less than two weeks away. Kamindu Mendis split his hamstring trying to catch and required stitches during today’s First Class match between SSC and CCC. Pathum Nissanka is already doubtful with a groin strain.” Clementine wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Not the best news coming from SSC with the Australia series less than two weeks away. Kamindu Mendis split his strap trying to catch and required stitches during today’s first-class match between SSC and CCC. Pathum Nissanka is already doubtful with a groin strain.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) January 17, 2025
Pathum Nissanka suffered a groin injury during the third ODI in New Zealand
Pathum Nissanka suffered a groin injury during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. Nissanka batted aggressively and scored a half-century off just 31 balls, but had to retire injured after appearing to injure himself while completing his fifty.
MRIs confirmed a Grade 1 tear, raising doubts over his availability for the second Test against Australia, which starts on February 6. The Sri Lanka Test squad, to be announced shortly, is scheduled to begin training in Galle on Monday, January 20. .
Sri Lanka’s senior cricket official downplays the severity of Kamindu Mendis’ hand injury
With less than two weeks to go before the series against Australia begins, Kamindu Mendis, who suffered a hand injury, required stitches. However, a senior Sri Lanka Cricket official downplayed the seriousness, according to NewsWire.
A senior Sri Lanka Cricket official, however, downplayed the seriousness, stating, “I think Kamindu will be fine – it’s just 1 or 2 points.
Pat Cummins has opted to skip Australia’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, and Cricket Australia has named 35-year-old Steve Smith as captain. Smith has led Australia in 38 Tests, securing 21 wins and 10 losses, but his captaincy saw Australia suffer a 3-0 defeat in Sri Lanka in 2016.
Despite being Australia’s best white-ball player for nearly a decade, Adam Zampa has not been included in the test configuration. Australia have picked Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann as their main options for the tour.
Apart from the top-line spinners, Australia have included for the tour all-rounders and part-time spinners like Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly. Glenn Maxwell, who last played a first-class match in July 2023, was not included despite his experience in subcontinental conditions.
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