As Sri Lanka Selectors have named Leg-Spinner Jeffrey Vandersay for the veteran Rangana Herath who asked SLC to Skip the third test, many were surprised by the decision. Moreover, many were on the opinion that Malinda Pushpkumara could have been the ideal replacement for Herath, than the Vandersay.
Though, there is an inside story of this. Cricket Age has learnt that Selectors were indeed in the favour of Pushpkumara to send him as a replacement of Herath. However, Pushpkumara couldn’t pass fitness test of SLC, now been mandatory for every national player to be selected, after the instructions of Sports Minister.
That’s when, Selectors picked Vandersay instead of Pushpkumara.
Pushpkumara, a highly talented left-arm spinner was the standout performer for Sri Lanka A during the recently concluded Series against West Indies A on their home soil.
Sri Lanka has suffered worst defeat, in terms of runs, of their test history in the second test at Nagpur.
The third test will be played at Firoz Shah Kotla, Delhi from December 2.
