England vs Sri Lanka: Hosts' turmoil deepends as skipper Dinesh Chandimal misses second Test with injury as part of triple blow
The hosts need to win both Tests to overturn a deficit in the series but now are without their skipper, best spinner and team manager
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Your support makes all the difference.Sri Lanka’s problems have deepened after skipper Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out of the second Test at Pallekele with injury, while off-spinner Akila Dananjaya was reported for a suspect action in the wake of the first Test against England and team manager Charith Senanyake has reportedly quit.
The hosts were comprehensively beaten at Galle in the series opener, with England’s 211-run winning margin barely telling the story of a match that Sri Lanka barely looked to be in.
Captain Chandimal injured himself on the first day in Galle but still batted twice in the defeat. His groin injury is expected to keep him out for 10-14 days, however, and Charith Asalanka has been called up to replace him in the middle order.
Suranga Lakmal will captain the side in Chandimal’s absence.
Meanwhile, the ICC has confirmed that the match officials cited concerns about the legality of spinner Dananjaya’s action.
The 25-year-old’s bowling action must now be scrutinised further under the ICC process for suspected illegal bowling actions. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, however during this period Dananjaya will still be permitted to bowl until the results of the testing are known.
Dananjaya being allowed to play in the second Test could vaguely be termed a boost for the Sri Lankans in the wake of Rangana Herath’s retirement, but the internal turmoil within the team continues to spill out.
Promising seamer Lahiru Kumara was thrown out of the squad for breaking curfew before the first Test and now team manager Charith Senanyake has reportedly resigned from his role after an argument with Chandrika Hathrusinghe. Sri Lanka cricket have thus far declined to comment.
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