Sri Lanka‘s star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a left hamstring injury. The 27-year-old sustained the injury while bowling in the second T20I on Sunday, November 10.
Hasaranga was outstanding in that match, taking four wickets for just 17 runs. However, Sri Lanka fell short by five runs in their chase of 109, and the series ended in a 1-1 draw. An official update from the Sri Lankan team confirmed that Hasaranga has returned to Colombo and started his rehabilitation at the High-Performance Centre.
In his place, Dushan Hemantha has been selected as the replacement. The 30-year-old has played five ODIs for Sri Lanka, claiming two wickets, with his most recent appearance being against India in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
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The three-match ODI series will start on Wednesday, November 13, in Dambulla, with the second and third matches set for November 17 and 19 in Pallekele, respectively.
Sri Lanka’s 17-member squad for the series against New Zealand:
Charith Asalanka (c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, and Mohamed Shiraz.
Sri Lanka has secured victories in their past two home ODI series
Sri Lanka has been in excellent form in ODIs, having won their last two series. In August, they triumphed 2-0 against India in a three-match series, with one game ending in a tie. In the second match, Sri Lanka defended 240 runs to win by 32 runs, and then dominated the final ODI, claiming a 110-run victory while defending 248 runs.
Last month, Sri Lanka also defeated the West Indies in a three-match ODI series. They won the first two games by five wickets before losing the dead rubber by eight wickets. Now, the hosts will be looking to complete a hat-trick of series victories when they face New Zealand.
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