Debasis Sen, Colombo: Sri Lanka will miss their talismanic left arm spinner Rangana Herath for the third and final test match of the series in Pallekele, starting August 12. Herath has been ruled out from the last test match due to a back spasm.
Herath is the latest casualty in the series after Sri Lanka lost Asela Gunaratne (fractured left thumb), Suranga Lakmal (back) and Nuwan Pradeep (hamstring). Captain Dinesh Chandimal also missed the first Test due to illness.
Considering Sri Lanka’s hectic International schedule, the left arm spinner has been given rest. Sri Lanka will play Pakistan in the UAE in September in a two-Test series followed by a three-Test series in India in November.
Herath, who captained the side in the first Test match of the series in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal, has hardly had any impact for his side. He bowled 91 overs in the series and picked only 5 wickets, which is poor by his standards.
The hosts will still miss his presence as he has been the leading wicket taker for the country after Muralitharan with 389 wickets.
The 39-year-old had also hurt his left middle finger while fielding during the Galle Test but was declared fit for the second Test. Sri Lanka are likely to bring in fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera in place of Pradeep, who injured his hamstring during the second Test.
India lead the test series 2-0 courtesy their wins in Galle (304 runs) and Colombo (innings and 53 runs). The final test match of the series will be played in Pallekele from August 12.