SLC confirms Kumara was left out due to fitness reasons

By Rex Clementine

There was confirmation from Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday that fast bowler Lahiru Kumara had been selected in the squad to play the three match series against Zimbabwe that gets underway later this week, but the player was withdrawn after he had failed the skin folds test. While Kumara had completed the two kilometer run under the stipulated time of eight minutes and ten seconds, his skin folds were over the limit making him ineligible for selection.

Along with Kumara, 21-year-old left-arm quick Kalana Perera from S. Thomas’ also had been withdrawn from the squad after not meeting the required fitness standards.

Kumara has come under heavy criticism in recent months for not showcasing maturity during crunch situations in close games. Having been entrusted with the final over on more than one occasion, Kumara had bowled poorly to gift away games to opponents. However, there is no denying of the fact of his immense talent. He is the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka capable of bowling 140kmph on average. Him failing the minimum fitness standards is another blow to his promising career.

SLC also announced that three players had been withdrawn from the squad after testing positive for COVID. Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage were pulled out even before the squad had reached Kandy as they had tested positive in Colombo but a PCR test done on Kamil Mishara turned positive while the squad was in a bubble and it remains a cause for concern.

SLC said that five players had been added to the squad as replacement for those who were withdrawn. Accordingly, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Shiran Fernando and Kamindu Mendis have joined the squad.

Sri Lanka’s batting seems to be thin on paper. There are just five specialist batsmen in the squad with captain Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne backing them up as all-rounders. What that means is Dasun will probably bat at number six, a huge ask for him given that he is not in the best of form. Chamika Karunaratne at seven has big shoes to fill.

Apart from the 17 players in the squad, Sri Lanka have also drafted in six players as standbys; Ashen Bandara, Pulina Tharanga, Nimesh Vimukthi, Ashian Daniel, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando.

The three match series gets underway at Pallekele on Sunday. All three games will take place in Kandy.

Full squad:

Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Minod Bhanuka, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Thushara, Chamika Gunasekera, Shiran Fernando.