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Dimuth and Lahiru Kumara for Monday's Aussie game
Opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne and seamer Lahiru Kumara are being considered for Sri Lanka’s World Cup game against Australia on Monday, as they look to bounce back after two demoralising defeats.
It’s been a tough two days in office for the Sri Lanka team as they were at the receiving end of heavy defeats in their first couple of games.
South Africa, after hammering a World Cup record of 428 runs in the opener, restricted Sri Lanka to 326 runs to clinch a 102-run win in the opener.
In the second game, Pakistan successfully chased down a record total, reaching 345 for the loss of only four wickets. This left Sri Lanka in a tough position with seven more games to go in the tournament.
Karunaratne, who played a significant role in Sri Lanka finishing the World Cup qualifier on top, was benched during the first two matches with the team think-tank opting for dashing opener Kusal Janith Perera.
However, Perera has failed to fire at the top, scoring only 24 runs in last five games since coming back to the side following injury. In his last two games at the World Cup, Perera had scores of 7 and 0 and is said to have a fitness issue.
This is likely to create the path for left-handed Karunaratne to make his first appearance at the 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s World Cup on Monday.
Meanwhile speedster Lahiru Kumara who returned to the World Cup side, having missed the Asia Cup through injury, was not considered for the first two games.
However, as Matheesha Pathirana has a slight niggle in his arm, Kumara is being considered for the vacant slot.
The toss up is between him and Kasun Rajitha because left-armer Dilshan Madushanka has been impressive so far in the tournament.
Team sources said Pathirana was sent for a scan to assess the situation.
Thrown into the deep end at the young age of 20, Pathirana felt the effect of high-octane international cricket with some brutal batting in the first two games. He conceded as many as 185 runs off the 19 overs he bowled against South Africa and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis who was battling cramps during the Pakistan game, has fully recovered and is available for selection for the third game.
Mendis missed the entire second half of the match on Tuesday, as he was taken to the hospital due to cramps and breathing difficulties following his record-breaking knock.
Having arrived in Lucknow on Wednesday, Sri Lankan players were given a two-day break to relax.
The training is to resume on Saturday ahead of the Monday’s clash against the Australians.
(Champika Fernando in Lucknow, India)
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