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Fernando to miss Aus ODI series

Wednesday, February 4 2004

Sri Lankan speedster, and new ball partner for Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando will miss the enitre ODI series against Australia at home, due to a back injury. The injury, which is a stress fracture on the right-hand side of his lower back, also puts him in a doubt for the 3 Test Match series.

According to physio Paul Klarenaar, Fernando will need an uncertain amount of time (but definitely four weeks atleast) to resume bowling. He will undergo another CT scan next week, which will reveal more about the injury.

Fernando, who is arguably the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka, has played 55 ODIs and 14 Test Matches. However, his career has never progressed to the lengths he would have liked, due to recurring injury problems. The last one, a similar stress fracture, kept him away for about seven months, before he returned in the recent Test series against England.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan selectors have announced a 25-man training squad for the ODI series against Australia, which is as follows.

Fernando's spot in the final squad is most likely to be taken by Prabath Nissanka. However, this depends on his status, for he too has yet to return to full fitness following a knee surgery.

The selectors have named leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi in the 25-man training squad. He has completed a four-month ban from the game, imposed after he was involved in a road accident in which a woman was killed.

Sri Lanka training squad:

Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Nuwan Kulasekara, Saman Jayantha, Avishka Gunawardana, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Zoysa, Dinusha Fernando, Chamila Gamage, Charitah Buddhika Fernando, Dinuka Hettiarachchi, Thilina Kandamby, Darshana Gamage, Ruchira Perera.


Posted by Sudeep