Herath fit for third Test against Australia

Thursday, 15 September 2011 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has recovered from a finger injury and is expected to play in the third and final Test match against Australia starting September 16 in Colombo.

Herath was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler taking 3/54 and 5/79 in the 125-run loss to Michael Clarke’s men in the first Test at Galle. But a finger injury ruled him out of the second Test at Pallekele.Sri Lanka lost the services of Ajantha Mendis, who has been ruled out of the series due to a back injury.

“He is out for the next Test,” Dilshan told reporters, confirming that Mendis would no longer play any part in the series.“He needs to rest for another two weeks,” the Sri Lankan captain added. “Rangana is much better and he should be okay by the time the match starts.”

Australia too have their share of injury problems, Ryan Harris is awaiting scans on a hamstring strain.

Harris is Australia’s most successful bowler in the series taking 11 wickets, which included a five-wicket haul in Galle.“He is one of those guys you want in your team,” visiting captain Clarke said. “He’s having a big impact in this series and certainly been doing the business for us.”“He’s a strong bloke and will do anything to get on the park,” Clarke added. “We’re confident that if the scan shows nothing, he will certainly be available for the third Test.”Australia will, however, be boosted by the return of Ricky Ponting to the side. Ponting missed the second Test after returning to Australia for the birth of his second child.The third Test gets underway on Friday at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.(Island Cricket)