Lankan spinner Mahish Thiksana is not playing the first match of the World Cup against South Africa due to injury. Sri Lankan coach Chris Silverwood confirmed this to reporters on Friday evening.
Thiksana suffered a hamstring injury in the Asia Cup. Due to which he could not play in the final of the Asia Cup. Now, due to this injury, the right-arm spinner has been ruled out of the first match of the World Cup.
Regarding Thiksana’s injury, Coach Silverwood said, ‘Thixana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he will not be available for the first match. But we hope to find him soon. The rest are fine’.
One injury after another is hitting the Lankan camp. The Sri Lankan team arrived in India with a weak bowling unit without fast bowler Dushmanth Chamira and spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga due to injury. However, the coach expects young left-arm spinner Dunith Velalage to fill Hasaranga’s void. This young spinner has shown surprise with the bat in the Asia Cup.
The coach said about him, ‘I think he has shown his ability with bat and ball. He is also a good fielder. I want him to enjoy his game and show the world his best.”
(October 7/SI)