Dushmantha Chameera ruled out of Asia Cup

Tuesday, 23 August 2022 01:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the Asia Cup with a leg injury sustained while batting.

Chameera who has a chronic left ankle that needs surgery after the T20 World Cup in November has been treated with kid gloves so far, preserving him only for white ball cricket. He suffered the injury to his left leg while batting in the side nets at R Premadasa Stadium where the team is preparing for the Asia Cup in the UAE later this week.

Dushmantha Chameera unlucky with injuries

“While batting in the side nets Dushmantha suddenly complained of pain in his left leg. He had strained his left calf muscle. The injury is slightly below the calf but attached to it,” said Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda.

“What they say is that it will take about 2-3 weeks for him to recover which means he is out of the Asia Cup. He should be okay for the T20 World Cup in October.”

Chameera’s injury is a big blow for Sri Lanka as he has been the spearhead of the bowling attack in white ball cricket in the power plays and at the death. His absence is certain to put additional pressure on an inexperienced Sri Lankan seam attack which will heavily rely on Asitha Fernando who has yet to play in a T20I for his country but has improved in leaps and bounds as a Test bowler. Fernando won selection for the Asia Cup finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the SLC Invitational T20 league with 10 wickets from four matches at an economy rate of 6.87.

Chameera was included in the Sri Lanka squad of 17 named for the Asia Cup but following this unfortunate injury his place has been given to 28-year-old right-arm fast bowler Pramod Madushan who made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka against Australia in June. Madushan is one of four in the fast-bowling contingent – uncapped Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana being the others. Sri Lanka also has the captain Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne – two fast bowling all-rounders as alternative options.

Madushan was named as one of the three standbys for the Asia Cup, but with him coming into the original squad of 17, Nuwan Thushara has been brought in his place as a standby. Batsmen Dinesh Chandimal and Nuwanindu Fernando are the other standbys. The three standbys will not travel with the team when it leaves for Dubai on 24 August. Sri Lanka’s spin bowling options however look compelling with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama and Jeffrey Vandersay in the mix.

Seven specialist batters make up the 17 which is the requirement from each of the six teams playing in the tournament.

Sri Lanka open their campaign against Afghanistan on 27 August in Dubai and then play Bangladesh on 1 September at the same venue in their two Group B games. Group A comprises defending champions India, Pakistan and one qualifier.

The Sri Lankan team played an intra-squad practice match under lights yesterday at the R Premadasa Stadium. It will be their only practice game before the Asia Cup.

SRI LANKA SQUAD of 17 FOR ASIA CUP:

Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, vice-captain Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, captain Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana.

Standbys: Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.