Nuwan Thushara ruled out for final two T20Is

Sri Lanka’s squad on tour to Australia has been further depleted after fast-bowler Nuwan Thushara and all-rounder Ramesh Mendis picked up injuries ahead of tomorrow’s fourth T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Thushara walked off the field during Tuesday’s T20I, at the start of his second over, and has since been diagnosed with a left side strain, ruling him out of the remainder of the series.

Thushara was drafted into the team after Binura Fernando tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the second T20I and, with the latter’s status for the rest of the series uncertain, Sri Lanka could call on either Lahiru Kumara or the uncapped Shiran Fernando to partner Dushmantha Chameera.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack is already without talisman Wanindu Hasaranga who was the third player to test positive for Covid-19 among the touring contingent, with his participation for tomorrow’s T20I also questionable.

Hasaranga, now the third best bowler in T20I cricket, accounts for the most wickets in the series so far for the visitors, but fast bowler Dushamantha Chameera has also proved for Sri Lanka with four wickets in three matches.

The bigger concern for Sri Lanka is among the batters, with top order failure a running theme in the series so far, and underwhelming in the first ten overs in all three T20Is, in the face of disciplined bowling from the hosts.

Opener Pathum Nissanka has been the stand out, top scored in two of the three T20Is, by his opening partner Danushka Gunathilaka and Charith Asalanka have failed to make meaningful runs – the former registering three consecutive single digit scores.

Sri Lanka’s batters have also been guilty of absorbing too many dot balls, an average of over 50 deliveries in each of the three completed T20Is.

With the series already lost, and this a crucial outing ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later in year, Sri Lanka could be tempted to try some of their reserves for the final two T20Is, with the likes of Janith Liyanage, who impressed at the recent Lanka Premier League, and Kamil Mishara yet to be tested.

The fielding also has been below par, most notably in the third T20I where they thrice missed an opportunity to dismiss Glenn Maxwell, who top scored with 39 runs in their chase of a low 122-run target.

The final match of the series will also be at the MCG on Sunday (20).