Bowling injuries leave Sri Lanka vulnerable

With yet another seam bowler sustaining a hamstring injury, the elation following Sri Lanka’s victory in Pallekele has become mild trepidation ahead of the second Test in Galle. For Nuwan Pradeep to play the second Test, he will require an extraordinary recovery. Having won a match after collapsing for 117 already this series, Sri Lanka are not expecting a second miracle in the space of a week.

If Pradeep is out, the bowlers in triage can now be said to match the quality of the attack Sri Lanka will be forced to field for the second Test. Each of Sri Lanka’s three best quicks – including Dhammika Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera – will be unavailable, as well as Suranga Lakmal and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay. Captain Angelo Mathews said the increased burden on Pradeep through the England tour, had probably led to the latest injury.

“Workload plays a huge role in their injuries,” he said. “If you talk to physio and trainer, they will say with the amount of cricket we play, workload management is important. We had to go with the same lot of fast bowlers for every game in England, and that’s why, probably, they got injured.

“Now, we’re in the same situation as in the last match. We’re waiting till tomorrow to get an opinion from the physio and trainer on Pradeep. If he doesn’t play, we have …

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