Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. The leg-spinner sustained the injury in the second T20I on Sunday, November 10. He looked in quite a bit of discomfort, hobbling through while bowling and running between the wickets.
He also finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series after he took six wickets from two games at an economy rate of 4.62. In the second T20I, he got the wickets of Will Young, Mitchell Santner and Josh Clarkson to finish with figures of 4-1-17-4. He also took two wickets in the first T20I and scored 22 off 23.
Dushan Hemantha has replaced Hasaranga in the ODI squad for the upcoming series. In five ODIs thus far, the 30-year-old Hemantha has taken two wickets at an economy rate of 5.51. He has also done well for the Sri Lanka A team.
The first ODI is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 13 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Pallekele will host the remaining two games on November 17 and 19 respectively.
Earlier, Lockie Ferguson was also ruled out of the upcoming ODI series due to a calf injury. The speedster became only the fifth New Zealand bowler to take a hat-trick in T20Is.
Sri Lanka won the opening T20I by four wickets in Dambulla after Charith Asalanka won the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 35. In the second game, Ferguson’s hat-trick guided the Kiwis through to a five-run win.
New Zealand also defended their lowest score of 108 in T20Is after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 103 in 19.5 overs.
