Injured Chameera doubtful for West Indies Tests

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is set to miss the first Test against West Indies in June after he suffered a stress fracture during the first match of the ongoing Super Four Provincial Cricket team.

Chameera, who represents Team Colombo in the four-team tournament, bowled 11 overs against Team Galle before returning to the dressing room with a sore back. He did not play again in the game which ended in a high-scoring draw at Hambantota. He has been ruled out for four to five weeks.

“He will definitely miss the first Test against West Indies,” said Chairman of Selectors Graeme La Brooy. “He has to go through this test. He was to fly today (April 5) to India for IPL. So we wanted him to go through this test to see whether he is fit enough to go there. But, fortunately or unfortunately, he failed."

Chameera is one of the two Sri Lankan cricketers picked by the IPL franchises for 2018 season. The other player is spinner Akila Dananjaya who this week joined the Mumbai Indians coached by former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

Meanwhile, batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka who suffered a hamstring injury during the same tournament will miss the rest of the Super Four and the limited-over matches to be followed.
He has been advised to rest for three weeks.

Sri Lanka will play three Test matches against West Indies starting June 1.