Injury-Hit Sri Lanka Hand Test Debut to Wijesundara for Second West Indies Test

Sri Lanka have suffered a major setback ahead of the second Test against the West Indies, with a series of injuries and an illness disrupting their preparations. The spate of absences has effectively reduced their available squad from 17 players to just 13 for selection.

After losing the opening Test by an innings, Sri Lanka must win the second Test in North Sound to salvage something from the series. However, their biggest blow has come with the loss of opener Pathum Nissanka, who travelled to the United Kingdom on June 30 to undergo surgery on an injured wrist. Lahiru Udara will replace him at the top of the batting order. The surgery has also cast doubt over Nissanka’s participation in the Lanka Premier League.

Sri Lanka’s pace attack has also been severely depleted. Vishwa Fernando has failed to recover fully from back and side pain and will miss the second Test. Meanwhile, Lahiru Kumara, who left the field after bowling just one over in the first Test with a recurring hamstring injury, remains unavailable.

As a result, fast bowler Isitha Wijesundara is set to make his Test debut. His inclusion has been aided by the unavailability of the injured seamers, along with Kasun Rajitha’s modest performance in the opening Test.

Sri Lanka have also been dealt another blow after off-spinning all-rounder Ramesh Mendis contracted a bacterial infection during the tour, ruling him out of selection. His absence paves the way for the return of experienced left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to the playing XI.

Despite the injury and illness concerns, Sri Lanka face the difficult task of bouncing back in the second Test as they look to level the series against the West Indies.