Tuesday, 10 March 2015 01:16
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Could be out for three weeks due to hamstringESPNcricinfo: Dinesh Chandimal will be monitored for 48 hours before a firm decision is taken on his further participation in the World Cup. However, early diagnosis of his hamstring tweak suggests he may be unavailable for three weeks, Sri Lanka’s team manager Michael de Zoysa has said.
Chandimal tweaked a hamstring in his right thigh when attempting a tight second run in the 41st over of Sunday’s match against Australia. He immediately called for on-field treatment, but despite a rest and a rub-down, was significantly hampered by the injury.
He stayed at the crease to complete his fifty, but was forced to retire hurt in the 42nd over, largely because he could only hobble between the wickets. His 52 not out off 24 balls - in his first World Cup innings - had done much to raise hopes of a successful Sri Lanka run chase. The chase petered out after his exit.
Kusal Perera is on standby to enter the squad, having arrived in Australia and participated in training sessions with the squad, over the last week. He will only enter the squad after Chandimal is given every chance to recover, however. Sri Lanka play their next match against Scotland on Wednesday, but do not play another match for a week. If they qualify for the knockouts, they will play their quarter-final on 18 March, in Sydney.
Chandimal is the fifth Sri Lanka player to sustain an injury during Sri Lanka’s campaign. Fast bowler Dhammika Prasad, slow-bowling allrounder Jeevan Mendis and batsman Dimuth Karunaratne have already been ruled out of the tournament, and Rangana Herath is still recovering from a cut to his spinning finger. Herath also remains doubtful for the match against Scotland.
