Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has broken a finger in his left hand at training, and will now be ruled out of at least the T20I series against India.
Team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the injury was sustained to a finger on Thushara’s left hand, which is not the hand he bowls with. Nevertheless it is severe enough for him to be ruled out. Halangoda said the injury had occurred late on Wednesday, when Sri Lanka were training under lights. Thushara had been at fielding practice.
He is the second Sri Lanka fast bowler to be ruled out. Just on Wednesday, Sri Lanka announced that Dushmantha Chameera was out of the series with illness, and replaced him with Asitha Fernando. Thushara’s replacement has not been named yet, but it may be left-armer Dilshan Madushanka.
Thushara had consistently been part of Sri Lanka’s T20 XI this year. He had been among their best bowlers at the T20 World Cup, taking eight wickets in the three matches Sri Lanka played. Earlier this year, he’d also taken a hat-trick on his way to figures of 5 for 20 against Bangladesh.
The first T20I between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled for Saturday.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo