Sanga faces lengthy injury layoff

28 July 2012 03:17 pm

Kumar Sangakkara will be out of action for four to six weeks after fracturing a finger on his right hand on Saturday during his team’s first innings against India at the R Premadasa Stadium. He will play no further part in the ongoing ODI series and faces a race against time to prove himself fit for the ICC World Twenty in September.

Sangakkara, on 23, was struck on the fingers on the final ball of the 15th over, bowled by Ashok Dinda. It was a quick delivery at 140kphs, which rapped the gloves before looping towards square leg. Sangakkara immediately shook his hand and winced in pain, calling for the physio. He received medical attention and batted 65 more deliveries for his 74.

The injury is a massive blow for Sri Lanka, especially with the World Twenty20 due to start on September 18 – when the hosts face Zimbabwe at Hambantota.(Cricketnext.com)