Sri Lanka’s national cricket team has been hit by injuries ahead of their upcoming two-Test series against Australia at home. All-rounder Kamindu Mendis and batsman Pathum Nissanka are ruled out of the series opener against the Steve Smith-led side due to respective injuries.

Australia’s two Test matches in Sri Lanka, both part of the World Test Championship (WTC), will begin in Galle on January 29. Australia have already booked a spot in the World Trade Finals against South Africa later this year. After the upcoming Test series, the teams will play a two-match ODI series.

Sri Lanka face injury setback ahead of Test series against Australia

Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine shared the news ahead of the Australia series. Kamindu Mendis injured his hand while trying to catch a ball during a first-class match and required stitches to a torn webbing. Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out for the series opener due to a groin strain.

“With less than two weeks to go until SSC’s Australia series, it’s not the best news to come from SSC. Kamindu Mendis tried to His webbing tore while taking the ball and requires stitches. Pathum Nissanka is doubtful with a groin strain,” Clementine wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

With less than two weeks to go before the Australia series, the news from the SSC isn’t the best. During today’s Division I match between SSC and CCC, Kamindu Mendis tore the webbing while trying to catch a ball and required stitches. Pathum Nissanka is doubtful due to a groin strain.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) January 17, 2025

Pathum Nissanka sustains groin injury during third ODI in New Zealand

Pathum Nissanka suffered a groin injury during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. Nissanka, who batted aggressively and scored a half-century off just 31 balls, appeared to be injured while completing his fifty and had to retire injured.

An MRI scan confirmed he had a grade 1 tear, casting doubt on his availability for the second Test against Australia starting on February 6. Sri Lanka’s Test squad will be announced soon, with training scheduled to begin in Galle on Monday, January 20.

Top Sri Lanka cricket official downplays severity of Kamindu Mendis’ hand injury

With less than two weeks to go until the start of the series against Australia, Kamindu Mendis needs stitches with a hand injury. However, a senior official from Sri Lanka Cricket downplayed the seriousness of the incident, newswire reported.

However, a senior official from Sri Lanka Cricket downplayed the seriousness, saying: “I don’t think Kamindu will be fine; just one or two stitches.”

Cricket Australia has appointed 35-year-old Steve Smith as captain after Pat Cummins opted to miss Australia’s two Test matches against Sri Lanka. Smith led Australia in 38 Test matches with a 21-10 record, but lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka in 2016 during his captaincy.

Although Adam Zampa has been Australia’s top white-ball spinner for nearly a decade, he has not been included in the Test fold. Australia have selected Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kooneman as their main spin options for the tour.

Apart from the first-line spinners, Australia has also invited all-rounders and part-time spinners like Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly to participate in the tour. Glenn Maxwell, who last started a first-class race in July 2023, has not been included despite his wealth of experience in subcontinental conditions.

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