The Sri Lanka national cricket team has been hit by injury blows ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series Against the Australian cricket team at home. All-rounder Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are doubts for the series opener against the Steve Smith-led side due to injuries to both of them.
Australia's two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka will begin on January 29 in Galle, with both Test matches being part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia have already secured a place in the World Trade Center final against South Africa later this year. After the next series of tests, difference He will compete in a two-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka are facing injury setbacks ahead of the Test series against Australia
Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine shared the concern news Before the Australia series. Camindo Mendes injured his hand while trying to catch in a first-class match, requiring stitches for a split belt. Batum Nissanka is already doubtful for the series opener due to a groin strain.
“Not the best news coming from SSC as we are less than two weeks away from the Australia series. Camindu Mendes clipped his belt while trying to catch and required stitches during today's first-class match between SSC and CCC. Patum Nissanka is already doubtful with a groin strain,” Clementine wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Not the best news coming from SSC with the Australia series less than a fortnight away. Kamindu Mendis split his belt while trying to grab the required stitches during today's first-class match between SSC and CCC. Pathum Nissanka is already doubtful due to a thigh strain.
– Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) CAnShApy 17, 2025
Pathum Nissanka suffered a thigh injury during the third ODI in New Zealand
Pathum Nissanka suffered a thigh injury during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. Nissanka was batting strongly and scored a half-century off just 31 balls but was forced to retire in pain after appearing to be injured while completing his fifty.
An MRI scan has confirmed a grade 1 tear, raising doubts over his availability for the second Test against Australia, which begins on February 6. The Sri Lanka Test squad, which will be announced soon, is scheduled to begin training in Galle on Monday, January 20. .
A senior Sri Lanka cricket official downplays the severity of Kamindu Mendis' hand injury
Less than two weeks before the start of the match against Australia, Camindo Mendes, who suffered a hand injury, needed stitches. However, a senior Sri Lanka cricket official downplayed the seriousness of the matter, according to NewsWire.
However, one of Sri Lanka's senior cricket officials played down the seriousness of the matter, saying: “I think Kamindu will be fine; he will be fine.” It's just one or two stitches.
Pat Cummins has opted to skip Australia's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, and Cricket Australia has appointed 35-year-old Steve Smith as captain. Smith has captained Australia in 38 Tests, with 21 wins and 10 losses, but his captaincy saw Australia lose 3-0 in Sri Lanka in 2016.
Despite being Australia's best white-ball player for nearly a decade, Adam Zampa It is not included in the test setup. Australia have selected Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann as their starting spin options for the tour.
Apart from the front-line spinners, Australia included all-rounders and part-timers like Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly on the tour. Glenn Maxwell, who last played a first-class match in July 2023, was not included despite his experience in subcontinent conditions.
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