AFP, Colombo :
Key bowler Rangana Herath has joined Sri Lanka’s growing injury list ahead of the start of the third and final Test against India starting Thursday, in a blow to their hopes of a consolation win.
The 39-year-old spinner, Sri Lanka’s number one and the world number three in Tests behind India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, is out with a back injury, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said.
“Herath will not be able to play in the third Test,” Jayasuriya said. “He is suffering a stiff back.”
Sri Lanka have already suffered crushing defeats in the first two Tests and losing Herath compounds their problems.
All-rounder Asela Gunaratne and bowler Nuwan Pradeep picked up injuries in the first and second Tests respectively.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal missed the first Test after being hospitalised for pneumonia, and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was ruled out before the series.
