Sangakkara a doubt for 1st Test

Kumar Sangakkara, the talismanic Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman, may miss the first Test against Australia, having suffered a grade one tear in his left hamstring. With 1 run to his name, Sangakkara went down with injury during the first innings of Sri Lanka’s tour match against the Chairman’s XI in Adelaide.

Sangakkara has been ruled out of the team’s final warmup game against Queensland on Friday, but is optimistic of being fit for the first Test. “I would say it’s definitely a grade one tear,” he said, “But we will have to see when the MRIs are assessed. Realistically, I’m just trying to make sure I do everything right with my treatment and make sure I get ready for the Test.”

At grade one, the hamstring tear is the least serious classification. However, the injury still requires daily attention from the physio.

Captain Mahela Jaywardene commented, “He’s been a vital component obviously but if he’s not fit the other guys have to step up to the plate.” In place of Sangakkara, Prasanna Jayawardene will take the gloves for Sri Lanka. Jaywardene replaced Sangakkara in the recent tour match, keeping wicket assuredly.

The first Test in Brisbane begins on November 8.