Sri Lanka fight back but lose Lahiru Kumara

Lahiru Kumara has broken down midway through a Test match three years in a row now– same injury, different leg. He will be out of the series.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

It was a wretched Friday for Sri Lankans with the news that Lahiru Kumara had pulled his hamstring muscle and possibly will be out of the series. With a few fine brains getting together to put cricket on the right track, some firmness needs to be shown as regards to players fitness and injury management. Particularly with the likes of Lahiru Kumara. Here’s why.

Considered the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka, Kumara broke down during the Gabba  Test in 2019 leaving the team high and dry. He made a comeback, then in 2020, during the Centurion Test, he broke down again much to the disappointment of the team.  History repeated at Pallekele yesterday as he broke down once again – same injury, different leg. So in three  consecutive years, he has suffered the same injury. 

Before  Lahiru Kumara plays a Test match again,  his condition has to be assessed and maybe perhaps he should prove his fitness bowling 30 overs in ‘A’ team cricket prior to coming to the senior side.  That there is no ‘A’ team cricket to be seen anywhere in the near future is a sorry reminder of the sad state of Sri Lankan cricket. But who cares?  We  have LPL.

Kumara will be out for the series.

Sri Lanka were left with a daunting task after Bangladesh posted 541 for seven declared. With a task of avoiding follow on, Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara  started off positively adding 114 runs for the first wicket. Thirimanne was dismissed in the last ball before tea after a fine half-century.

Thirimanne had made his debut ten years ago but had not cemented his place due to his inconsistency. However, this year, he seems to have sorted a few issues and has produced over 500 runs after six Test including four fifties and a hundred. Only England skipper Joe Root has scored more runs than Thirimanne in 2021.

Angelo Mathews and Oshada Fernando got out after getting starts – both poor strokes. Fernando was caught down the leg-side while Mathews went on the back foot to a full delivery and was cleaned up by the left-arm spin of Taijul Islam.

Dimuth Karunaratne, however, was rock solid. He was unbeaten on 85 at stumps; a fine effort after play was extended to catch up for lost time on day two.

Sri Lanka are 312 runs behind and  need a further 112 to avoid follow on. With no demons on the track, this game looks to be heading for a high scoring draw. But you never know. Sri Lankan batting has collapsed quicker than the Rupee in recent times.