Sri Lanka’s head coach Mickey Arthur said that he would love to have wicketkeeper and opening batsman Kusal Perera back in the side as early as possible.

Perera has been sidelined by a shoulder injury and then he was ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19, factors that have led to his delay in returning to the white ball team. 

“Kusal batted for probably an hour in the nets today and he is hitting the ball extremely well,” said Arthur. “He is obviously just short of where he needs to be in terms of return to play protocols and the doctors have been very diligent with that.

“There isn’t a time frame for him to return. We obviously don’t want to jeopardise anything going forward with the T20 World Cup. As coach I am hoping sooner rather than later but we’ve got to adhere to all the medical advice given to us as well. Hopefully we will see him in the T20I for a game or two in the South African series.” The three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and South Africa starts on 10 September. (ST)

Mickey’s mantra for today’s ODI decider