Star spinner Herath to miss the remainder of the World Cup as Sri Lanka prepare for quarter-final
Massive quarter-final blow for Sri Lankans
Sri Lanka have suffered a major injury blow ahead their Cricket World Cup quarter-final clash against South Africa today, with ace spinner Rangana Herath ruled out of the tournament.
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The International Cricket Council Event Technical Committee has approved 22-year-old off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal as Herath’s replacement.
Herath injured his spinning finger in Sri Lanka’s group stage win over England in Wellington when dropping a return catch off wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler in the 49th over. He left the field immediately after.
The 36-year-old received five stitches in left index finger, but an infection slowed his recovery.
Leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna was flown in from Sri Lanka as cover for Herath, but the veteran was given every chance to play according to captain Angelo Matthews.
“He’s still 50-50,” Matthews said yesterday.
“He hasn’t had a bowl yet, so we gave him a couple of more days from two days before. “But the physio has to have a look at him once again today.
“If he bowls at practice today he’ll be in contention for selection. If not, he won’t be playing.”
Herath struggled during the World Cup, taking only three wickets in four matches at an average of 52.
Opening batsman and part-time off-spinner Tillakaratne Dlishan is the leding slow bowler for Sri Lanka with five wickets at 30.60.
Herath is the fifth Sri Lankan to be ruled out of the tournament, joining batsmen Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne, pace bowler Dhammika Prasad and allrounder Jeevan Mendis.
The 58-Test veteran is expected to fly home tomorrow.
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Herath leaving the field in Wellington // Getty Images