Pathum Nissanka latest casualty Limping Lanka prepare for business end of T20 World Cup

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Australia 

HOBART: Having gone through a nervy first round in Geelong where the cold conditions and the outfield had left a telling effect on the team, the Sri Lankan cricketers arrived in Hobart yesterday to commence the business end of the ICC T20 World Cup – the Super12s where they take on the Group 2 runner-up Ireland on Sunday.

The team left Sri Lanka two weeks ahead of the first-round matches to get acclimatised to the conditions which they will experience in Australia, but for all the preparations, injuries are something that cannot be avoided.

From the original squad that was picked for the World Cup, two key players Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera, both effective fast bowlers have already been ruled out of the tournament with injuries. 

While Madushanka who suffered a quadriceps tear has returned home and has been replaced by Binura Fernando, Chameera who was to undergo surgery after the World Cup on a troublesome ankle is staying back in Melbourne to go ahead with the operation. 

Chameera in fact was treated with kid gloves by Sri Lanka Cricket wrapping him in cotton wool till the T20 World Cup. But this unexpected injury which he has suffered – a grade 2 tear in the calf of his left foot, has left Sri Lanka without a proper spearhead going into the Super12, although he has been replaced by Kasun Rajitha.

“We definitely miss guys like Chameera, we know he has history of injuries. If you look at the Asia Cup, we went without both of them Lahiru Kumara and Chameera. It’s a good opportunity for the other young guys who are coming in to show their capabilities,” said Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda.

“In Chameera’s absence we have Lahiru Kumara, a fast bowler who can replace him. He has the pace similar to Chameera but of course the height and bounce will be different. Lahiru has played at the highest level so he should be able to take Chameera’s place. 

“Then we have Binura another experienced cricketer who has played a lot of cricket. Only thing is you cannot expect him to perform as soon as he comes. He came two days before the Netherlands match and had only a day’s practice. It was a tough call.”

Halangoda said that both Promod Madushan and Danushka Gunathilaka who suffered hamstring injuries should be fit for the future matches.

“Promod Madushan’s is not a serious injury he should recover within 2-3 days and Danushka Gunathilaka is also recovering but we have done a small change where he has been moved to the 17 and we have brought in Ashen Bandara into the 15. Danushka is able to walk but needs a little time.”

Opening bat Pathum Nissanka became the latest casualty in Sri Lanka’s growing list of injuries when he hurt his groin while batting in the game against Netherlands on Thursday.

“We will see whether Pathum is fit. He has a groin injury which is not a serious issue. During the Netherlands match while batting one of the studs of his boots got stuck in the pitch and a piece came out. He can walk but he has a slight pain. We will take a call tomorrow (Saturday) after practice,” said Halangoda.

“The weather has made a big impact on the players and the ground also was not that great. After the rains it was a bit soft and all that has had a multiple effect. It was quite cold in Geelong and unless you keep stretching and keep yourself warm after a spell, the chances are that you can get injured. 

“It didn’t happen as soon as they started bowling but after a break when they came on again, they got injured. It’s a case where these guys have to keep on stretching their limbs in the centre especially the fast bowlers.”

An area of concern for Sri Lanka coming into the Super12s is their death bowling which has been poor to say the least. They had Namibia down on their knees at 93-6 in the 15th over, but allowed them to score 163-7. Then against Netherlands, Sri Lanka took the first eight wickets for 109 in 17 overs but the Dutch finished on 146-9.

“Definitely that is a concern and it’s been addressed by the coaching staff,” said Halangoda. 

“We’ve had several discussions on it. One of the things you’ve got to realise is that the grounds where we played, the two sides are very small so you have to be really spot on with your bowling. “The slightest variation can result in you being hit for a six. In the middle it’s so cold you have to keep your hands and everything warm. When you don’t bowl for a while and you suddenly come and bowl again and if you are a spinner, you find it difficult to grip the ball. That’s what happened to Maheesh Theekshana. Nobody expected him to give away 16 runs.”

“It’s a learning process for us. Now that we have moved into a proper cricket venue – Hobart to a much bigger ground, hopefully there will be better wickets, because at Geelong there was only two drop down strips where all the games were played.”