Injury strikes Sri Lanka as key bowler out with hamstring injury before 2nd Test vs New Zealand

Hours after crushing New Zealand in the opening Test of the home series, Sri Lanka suffered a massive setback ahead of the second and final Test in Galle, starting on September 26.

On Monday, September 23, the Lanka cricket team defeated New Zealand by 63 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle.

Unfortunately, the Lanka cricket team has been forced to make changes to their Test squad just a couple of days before the highly anticipated second and final clash against New Zealand in Galle. Vishwa Fernando has been sidelined after developing tightness in his right hamstring during practice.

Sri Lanka suffer a big blow as Vishwa Fernando gets ruled out of the 2nd Test vs New Zealand

On Tuesday, September 24, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board officially confirmed that the pacer Fernando was ruled out of the final Test against the Kiwis after developing a tightness in his right hamstring while practicing at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The injury has sent Fernando straight to the High-Performance Center for rehabilitation, leaving the Lanka cricket team to look for a replacement. However, the Lankans wasted no time in responding to the setback, as they called up the 27-year-old Nishan Peiris, a right-arm off-spinner, who replaced Fernando in the squad.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated in an X post: “Vishwa Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practicing; hence, he has been sent to the High-Performance Center for rehabilitation. Nishan Peiris, the 27-year-old right-arm offspinner, has been added to the squad in place of Fernando.”

Here's SLC's official announcement:

Vishwa Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practicing, hence, he has been sent to the High Performance Center for rehabilitation._

Nishan Peiris, the 27-year-old right-arm offspinner, has been added to the squad in place of Fernando. #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/aCCvUxbsEv

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 24, 2024

Nishan Peiris set for international debut in the second Test against New Zealand

Peiris, though not an exact replacement for Fernando in terms of style, brings his skills and skillsets to the national Test squad. The uncapped off-spinner will certainly be hoping to rise to the occasion.

Well, all eyes will be on Peiris, as the off-spinner is likely to make his international debut for the Lanka cricket team in the Galle Test against New Zealand on Thursday.

Vishwa’s replacement Peiris has so far played 41 matches in First Class and scalped 172 wickets at an average of 24.37 and an economy rate of 3.42. The left-hander is also a handy batter, amassing 333 runs in 52 First-Class innings so far. The off-spinner is also a good bowler in the white-ball format.

Peiris has 86 and 43 wickets to his name in 61 List-A and 39 T20 games so far. He has also amassed 369 runs in the List-A cricket. The off-spinner most recently played in the National Super League, where he has shown great form with the ball, and he could be a useful option for Sri Lanka.

Prabath Jayasuriya’s superb bowling guided Sri Lanka to a thrilling win in the first Test

Notably, Vishwa was not part of the Islanders’ playing XI in the first Test. The upcoming second and final Test match is all set to be a thrilling contest, with the hosts already taking the lead and aiming to win the final hurdle to whitewash the New Zealand cricket team in the home series.

Speaking about the first SL vs NZ Test, Sri Lanka recorded a thrilling 63-run victory over New Zealand in a hard-fought first Test in Galle.

Kamindu Mendis’ century and Dimuth Karunaratne’s solid 83 led the way for this memorable win, while Prabath Jayasuriya’s superb bowling, including two five-wicket hauls, dismantled New Zealand’s batting unit in Galle.