SL leave for Zim tour

Tuesday, 25 October 2016 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Madushka Balasuriya

The Sri Lankan national cricket team left for their tour of Zimbabwe yesterday, with Rangana Herath taking the reins in the absence of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, both of whom miss out due to injury.

Mathews misses out with a calf injury, while Chandimal picked up a thumb injury on domestic duty, but Herath believes his side have enough quality to put in a good performance despite the loss of the two experienced campaigners.

“The team doesn’t have a lot of international experience, even though these kids have played at a high level for their respective clubs. But the experience some of these players took away from the Australia series will definitely hold them in good stead,” said Herath, 38, who becomes the oldest first time captain of Test team since Somachandra de Silva in 1983.

Sri Lanka are set to take on Zimbabwe in two Tests, the first of which gets underway in Harare on 29 October. The second Test will also be played in Harare from 6 - 10 November. Following the Test series, the West Indies will join Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for a triangular series.

From left: SLC CEO Ashley De Silva, Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya, SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala, Tour Captain Rangana Herath, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal

While Chandimal is set to return for the triangular series, Mathews is looking at a longer period on the sidelines with the South Africa tour towards the end of the year a likely return date. “There are multiple strains on the same leg, but the doctors say that I should recover in three to four weeks. It can of course take a little bit longer, so we’ll have to play it by ear. But I don’t think it will take so long as to lead me to miss the South Africa tour,” said Mathews.

Mathews’ niggling injuries have long been a cause for concern for Sri Lankan fans, despite him having been involved in the most number of match days over the last 18 months. Asked if the number of matches he has taken part in might have contributed to his present string of injuries, Mathews said it was certainly a possibility. SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala added that with the Brain Centre due to be up and running by the end of the year, more specialised recovery plans will be available to players.

“It is quite difficult for someone who plays as much cricket as Angelo to avoid injuries altogether, unless a proper scientific approach is taken. We need to start making assessments of players, and then we need to take a bio-mechanic reading of the players. After that you call in the high performance manager. For example, if we must know when to give players a rest before they break down. We’re studying every players competitive and practice sessions to ensure that they don’t get injured as often.”