ANTIGUA: Sri Lanka suffered a major setback ahead of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound with four players ruled out due to injury and illness.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, off-spinner Ramesh Mendis and opener Patham Nissanga will not play in the final of the series.
The visitors are 1-0 down in the two-match series after losing the opening Test by an innings and 217 runs. Nissanka, who opened the batting alongside Nishan Madushka, played in the match but could only score two and three runs.
According to the SLC, Nissanga experienced persistent wrist pain following the first Test and was advised to undergo surgery. He flew to the United Kingdom on June 30, two days after the match.
Kumara’s absence is another significant blow to Sri Lanka’s fast bowling. The fast bowler lasted just one over in the opening Test before injuring his right hamstring during the start of his second over, forcing him to leave the field immediately.
The SLC later confirmed that Kumar has suffered a grade one hamstring tear and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. This is not the first time a fast bowler has been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
His early exit left Sri Lanka with few pace options as the West Indies declared 626-9, largely due to the record-breaking 401-run partnership between Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase.
With limited bowling resources, Kamindu Mendis, who rarely bowls in Test cricket, had to deliver nine overs.
Left-arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando was ruled out after suffering a recurrence of pain in his right lower back, trunk and groin while bowling during the practice match ahead of the first Test.
Although the SLC said he has made steady progress over the past week, he has not recovered enough to be considered for the exam.
Meanwhile, off-spinner Ramesh Mendis is recovering from a bacterial infection he picked up during the tour. He last represented Sri Lanka in the second Test against Australia in Galle in February 2025.
Sri Lanka’s squad for the second Test has been updated
Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (catch), Kusal Mendis (VK), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Ratnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Pacindu Suryabandara, Lahiru Uthara Wijesara and Isitha.