Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews returns to the team after being left out of the first two ODIs against South Africa due to an ICC suspension for maintaining a slow over rate during the tri-nation competition in the West Indies earlier this month.
The selectors have named a bloated squad of 16 for the next two ODIs adding Mathews to the 15-member squad that was named for the first two ODIs.
Middle-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who badly bruised his ribs while batting during the second ODI, has been named in the squad subject to fitness.
Sri Lanka lead the five-match ODI series 2-0. The third and fourth ODIs will be played at Pallekele on Friday and Sunday. The teams will return to Colombo for the fifth and final ODI also at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s star batsman Hashim Amla is in doubt for the third ODI after scans revealed a grade 1 strain to his left groin. Amla, who missed the first ODI due to a stiff neck, fell awkwardly while fielding in the third-man region during the second ODI and was helped by the support staff and team-mates back to the dressing room. He was immediately taken for scans and didn’t bat in the second ODI.
The Proteas have missed Amla’s services in the top order. The 30-year-old is the world’s number one ranked batsman in ODIs and averages a more-than-impressive 55.
“Hashim jarred his left knee into the ground while fielding, after which he reported discomfort in the pelvic and groin region. He was assessed to have a grade 1 strain to the left groin muscle, which was confirmed by an MRI scan,” Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager said.
“Injuries of this nature usually take 3-7 days to recover, but he will receive intensive treatment and rehab in the coming days to give him the best possible chance of being ready for the third or fourth ODI at Pallekele this week.”
The Proteas have now not beaten Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in their last 11 games with their last win coming during their inaugural visit to the island way back in 1993.
Sri Lanka squad:
Angelo Mathews (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal (Vice-Captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Perera, Jehan Mubarak, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Thirimanne (subject to fitness).
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
