File image of Wanindu Hasaranga.© AFP
Sri Lanka legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a left hamstring injury while bowling in the second T20I in Dambulla on Sunday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka have added Dushan Hemantha to the squad in place of Hasaranga, who returned to Colombo and has begun injury rehabilitation at the High Performance Center.
Hasaranga had finished the two T20Is with six wickets, four of which were on Sunday, and was named Player of the Series. He has recently struggled with injuries after straining the same hamstring in the home match against India in August.
The legspinner is the second player to be ruled out of the upcoming series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Kiwi pacer and second T20I hat-trick hero Lockie Ferguson will also miss the action due to a recent calf injury.
While Hasaranga launched into New Zealand's batting as Sri Lanka bowled them out for 108 in the second and final T20I, the visitors bounced back with the ball in style to complete a five-run win to wrap up the series in a 1-1 draw to close.
After the match, Hasaranga talked about his injury: “Finally I can get a few weeks break after this match. I think it's bad. I wanted to bowl my four overs to reduce their total. I can't run, so I tried to maximize ( while hitting) but I got out.”
The three-match ODI series starts in Dambulla on Wednesday and the next two matches will be played in Pallekele on November 17 and 19 respectively.
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