AUS v SL 2019: Big relief for Sri Lanka as Kusal Mendis cleared of serious injury ahead of Test series

There is still no clarity on Mendis' availability for the series opener.

A powerful sweep from Jake Doran hit Mendis in Hobart | Getty Images

There is a big relief for Sri Lanka ahead of their two-match Test series in Australia, as their star batsman, Kusal Mendis escaped a serious injury, as he has been cleared after being hit on his hand on Friday (January 18).

Mendis, who had sustained a nasty blow on the right hand while fielding at short leg during a tour match against Cricket Australia XI, which had given a major injury scare to the Islanders.

The 23-year-old got hit on the field by a powerful sweep from Jake Doran during the middle session of the day-night match and he had to leave the field immediately for treatment.

Even, Mendis spent the rest of the day icing the injury to his right ring finger, which raised concerns about his availability for the rest of the Australia tour. However, now an X-ray has confirmed that there is nothing serious and no breakage or fracture in Mendis’ finger.

Sri Lanka team manager Jeryl Woutersz said, “We took him for an X-ray in the morning and it showed that he was fine. We're not sure if he will bat yet, because the finger is quite sore. But he's okay.”

Noteworthy, Mendis impressed the Lankan selectors with his brilliant show in the New Zealand Test series, where he played an unbeaten knock of 141 runs and 67 runs for the Australia tour.

The two-match Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka kick start from January 24 at the Gabba.

(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 18 Jan, 2019

    Share Via