Sri Lanka sweating over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BAW-Mendis-c1127’ fitness ahead of New Zealand series – Cricket News Update
In-form Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis' fitness remains a concern for the Islanders as they gear up to host http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in a full-fledge series, starting at Pallekele, on October 30, 2012.
Mendis, 27, who was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded ICC World T20 Championship at home, picked up a side strain during the marquee tournament and is yet to recover completely from the injury, revealed the Sri Lankan team management on Saturday.
"Ajantha is still recovering from a side strain which he suffered during the World T20. That is our only concern right now," Sri Lanka's team manager http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Charith-Panduka-Senanayake-c49664 told media reporters in Colombo yesterday.
The Moratuwa-born right-arm off-spinner sustained the injury during the World T20 curtain raiser against minnows http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045, on September 18, 2012. The magical spinner scripted record figures of six for eight in that match, as the hosts crushed the lacklustre Rhodesians by a mammoth 82-run margin.
With a strained muscle, Mendis only missed the rain-curtailed group match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. He finished the tournament at the top of wickets chart, claiming 15 scalps in six matches, at a stupendous average of 9.80 and an economy rate of 6.12.
"http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajantha-c42419 played these matches taking painkillers, he has still not recovered 100% from the injury. He is still under treatment," said Senanayake.
"We have made practice optional for the World T20 players, but the rest of the squad is at practice. We will regroup on October 23," he added further.
Sri Lanka, the runner-up of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20, are scheduled to play the Black Caps in two Tests, five One day Internationals and a one-off T20 International between October 30 and November 29.
Whilst New Zealand have already named their squad for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 tour, the hosts are yet to announce their team for the itinerary. Sources from inside Sri Lanka Cricket have claimed that the squad will be named sometime in the coming week.
"We are looking at resting some of the senior players and fielding a young team for the T20 game. The seniors will be back for the ODIs and Tests," said the chairman of SLC’s selection panel, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashantha-Lakdasa-Francis-de-Mel-c46253.
The itinerary kicks off with a T20 International at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.
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