Dashing right-handed batsman Oshada Fernando is doubtful for the South Africa tour, after twisting his ankle during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) match on Saturday, Cricket Age reliably learns.
While batting for his team Dambulla Viiking against Kandy Tuskers, Oshada sustained the injury while taking a quick double and had to leave the field with the support of medical staff.
The team under Dimuth Karunaratne will play a two-Test series beginning on December 26.
“I don’t think he’ll recover fast, hopefully he will be fit for the tour of South Africa” Dambulla Viiking captain Dasun Shanaka said after the match.
When inquired further, it emerged that Oshada is likely to be ruled out for next 3-4 weeks.
Oshada was in the test squad as an opener against the Proteas, starting the innings along with Karunaratne. The squad was picked by the national coach Micky Arthur, as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to announce the new selection committee.
If Oshada remains unavailable, top order batsman Minod Banuka is front runner to replace him in the squad. A wicket keepar batsman of Colmbo Cricket Club (CCC), Bhanuka played as an opener and number three batsman in the SLC Major Premier League tournament, scoring 676 runs with two hundreds and three fifties.
