Kusal Mendis is available for the fourth ODI against Australia on Tuesday, but Danushka Gunathilaka appears unlikely to play, while Wanindu Hasaranga may only be risked if Sri Lanka feel they need him.
Mendis retired hurt on 87 off 85 balls in Sri Lanka’s win on Sunday, having put on a match-defining 170-run stand with centurion Pathum Nissanka. But he left the field because of “meuromuscular cramps,” SLC’s chief medical officer Dr Daminda Attanayake told ESPNcricinfo, and as such, will be fit for Tuesday. Nissanka, who was also seen receiving treatment during the course of his innings but continued batting until he was dismissed for 137, is fine as well.
Gunathilaka, who missed Sunday’s match with a grade 1 hamstring strain, seems unlikely to be available though, according to Attanayake. Although she described Gunathilaka’s as a “very minor injury”, the original prognosis had been that Gunathilaka would miss this series, in order to ensure his availability for the Lanka Premier League and the Asia Cup coming up.
But there is still an outside chance he could play. “The team physio and doctor will continue to assess him to see if he can be fit, but right now he is out,” Attanayake said. Gunathilaka is set to undergo a fitness test on Tuesday, before the match.
Hasaranga meanwhile has a “really good prognosis” and his “symptoms are getting better,” Attanayake said, but may only be risked if Sri Lanka really feel they need him. With the hosts now 2-1 up in the series, and both legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage having bowled well in the two previous games, Sri Lanka may just choose to give their premier spinner an extra game off.
The last two ODIs are set to be played in Colombo on Tuesday and then Friday.
Cricinfo
