Eranga injury adds to Sri Lankan woes

Updated January 02, 2013 22:58:07

Sri Lanka's miserable Australian tour has hit an incredible new low with promising fast bowler Shaminda Eranga suffering a freak leg injury during training on the eve of the third Test in Sydney.

Eranga was playing in a warm-up game of soccer with his teammates on Wednesday when he collapsed to the ground - causing an immediate end to the game.

Nervous coaching staff attended to the 26-year-old while he lay on the ground before he gingerly got to his feet.

The right-arm quick, who has taken five wickets at an average of 50 in the opening two Tests, limped his way to the dressing rooms where he was due to receive further attention.

It is unknown whether he will miss the final Test of the series starting at the SCG on Thursday, but captain Mahela Jayawardene admitted he could still not finalise a team.

Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (thumb) appears certain to miss the match while paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (ribs) is also in extreme doubt.

Mahela Jayawardene admitted the disruptions had taken an enormous toll on his team already this summer, but urged them to rise above it.

"It is (disruptive), but like I said after Melbourne ... these are unexpected things that we need to get our head around and handle the situation the best possible way," Jayawardene said prior to the Eranga setback.

"You don't anticipate three or four guys to go down in just one Test match.

"But it happened so we just need to sit down and see what other options we've got.

"We've got two guys flown in ... we're back to having a full 16 in the squad now."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sydney-2000, sri-lanka

First posted January 02, 2013 16:19:23

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Clarke retires hurt with hamstring injury

Updated December 17, 2012 15:52:03

The only thing that could stop Michael Clarke's innings was injury, not Sri Lanka's bowlers, after the in-form Australian skipper retired hurt with a hamstring injury at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

Clarke contributed a quickfire 57 not out off 46 deliveries on day four of the first Test, with his side extending its lead over the tourists, before calling Australian physio Alex Kountouris to the middle.

Clarke could be seen stretching and then rubbing his right hamstring before leaving the field.

Cricket Australia posted on Twitter soon after that the team's medical staff were assessing a right hamstring injury.

It is the latest in a string of injuries for the Australian Test side, which lost the bowling services of Ben Hilfenhaus (side strain) in the first innings in Hobart.

Clarke took his place in the field for Sri Lanka's second innings.

Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 17, 2012 15:04:00

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Pattinson out of series with foot injury

Updated January 06, 2012 19:58:42

Australian tearaway James Pattinson has been ruled out for the remainder of the Test series against India with a foot injury.

The 21-year-old fast bowling revelation has been cleared of stress fractures but complained of pain in his left foot on the fourth day of the second Test, and needs to be rested.

Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc have been included in the squad for the next Test in Perth and will compete for the vacant fast bowling position.

"James Pattinson has been omitted from the squad due to a foot injury and has been replaced in the XII by Mitchell Starc," national selector John Inverarity said in a statement.

"The intention of the National Selection Panel was to rest James from the Perth Test match as this young man has played in four Test matches over a period of just five weeks.

"This intention has become a necessity after post match scans have revealed James' foot injury.

Squad physio Alex Kountouris said Pattinson will be managed carefully over the next few weeks.

"James Pattinson reported some left foot pain after the second innings of the Sydney Test match," he said.

"Whilst he was able to bowl unrestricted in the game, he did have pain towards the end of the match.

"As such, he had x-rays and scans after the game that have cleared him of a stress fracture but have demonstrated early stage bone stress injury of the metatarsal bone of the left foot."

Australia squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin, Ed Cowan, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

ABC/AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 06, 2012 19:36:05

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Injury concerns hold Harris back

Updated December 22, 2011 19:24:16

Memories of last year's Boxing Day Test breakdown helped Ryan Harris make the tough call to pull out of Australian team contention on Wednesday.

Harris impressed in his comeback from a hip injury on Tuesday night, taking 1 for 31 and almost steering Brisbane Heat to a Big Bash League Twenty20 win over Melbourne Stars with an unbeaten 25.

But a frank conversation with national selector Andy Bichel afterwards ensured his name would not feature in Australia's Boxing Day Test squad unveiled on Wednesday.

"To be honest I don't reckon I could get through a Test match at the moment," Harris said on Wednesday.

"I spoke to Andy Bichel and he asked me how I was feeling.

"I said I probably lacked getting through that intensity, rhythm and fitness."

Try as he might, Harris can not forget what happened in last summer's Boxing Day clash.

Harris inadvertently left Australia a bowler short when he suffered an ankle injury then missed the rest of the Ashes series when it required surgery.

"What happened last year? I have been trying to forget it," he smiled.

"I started one last year then fell in a heap.

"Personally I can't afford to break down again.

"And being a bowler short in a Test match is pretty poor.

"I dream of playing a Boxing Day Test (and) I was pretty keen to play this game - but only if I was 100 per cent."

The hip complaint that cut short his tour of South Africa last month added to a worrying list of ailments for Harris.

Apart from his Ashes frustration, Harris also missed the third Test in Sri Lanka with a hamstring strain and is nursing a degenerative right knee.

However, Harris was hopeful of firing up for the second Test against India in Sydney from January 3.

The early signs are good - Bichel watched from the stands when Harris bounced back from conceding 14 runs in his second over for the Heat on Tuesday night before bowling well at the death of the Stars' innings.

Harris also shared an unbroken 55-run eighth wicket stand with Michael Neser but the Stars still held on for an eight-run victory.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted December 22, 2011 07:53:20

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Warner, Marsh report mixed injury news

Updated December 15, 2011 20:12:07

Test batsman Shaun Marsh has set the record straight - he has yet to be ruled out of the Boxing Day Test and will be doing everything he can to face India in Melbourne.

However, man of the moment David Warner has added to Australia's already extensive injury concerns with an admission he still has some lingering stiffness in his back.

Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Johnson head the more permanent casualty ward for Australia, but the likes of Marsh, Shane Watson, Ryan Harris and Trent Copeland are also fighting fitness complaints.

Marsh returned home from the South African tour due to a back injury and has been struggling to overcome the ailment since.

He was ruled out of the second Chairman's XI tour game against India starting on Monday next week, but feels he could be fit in time to play on December 26.

"I still think I'm a chance," he said on Thursday.

"I guess it's up to the selectors to decide what they want to do.

"I've got a lot of things I need to prove to them over the next week to be available for selection, but I'm definitely not going to rule it out.

"I'll try my hardest to be there. To play in a Boxing Day Test is something I've dreamed about.

"I've got to make sure my back's 100 per cent and I'm confident over the next few days I can get myself right."

Marsh, who performed strongly in Australia's tour of South Africa before damaging his back and has a Test average of 56.8, has started batting in the nets in a bid to prove his fitness.

The 28-year-old said his recovery had been a slow and frustrating process, and that he'll have to manage the injury throughout his career.

However, he feels surgery will not be necessary and that the disc swelling in his lower back is finally showing signs of improvement.

"I've had a few hits now and it's pulled up OK," he added.

"I had a good hit yesterday. I pulled up a little bit sore but it was definitely an improvement compared to my last hit.

"Ideally it'd be nice to play a few games leading up to Boxing Day - if I'm picked - but I can't help that. It's out of my hands."

If fit, Marsh will join next week's batting camp in Melbourne.

Warner, who scored his maiden Test century in last week's shock loss to New Zealand, will need to pass a fitness test on Friday to play for the Sydney Thunder on the weekend.

"I am in discomfort when I'm not moving," he said ahead of the Thunder's Big Bash League clash with the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

"I've got to keep moving every five or 10 minutes, because if I'm in the one position ... I stiffen up.

"The more movement I get, the better (it is) and obviously that's a sign of getting better in general.

"I'll see the physio and then (on Friday) head down with the boys and I'll have a big hit-out."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted December 15, 2011 20:12:07

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One more injury and I'm done: Harris

Updated December 13, 2011 20:55:47

Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris is resigned to the fact another injury could spell a premature end to his Test career.

The 32-year-old quick is firmly in selectors' thoughts for the first Test against India at the MCG on Boxing Day, provided he can prove his fitness after picking up a painful hip injury on last month's South African tour.

He has battled chronic injuries, including a knee problem for his entire career.

"One more injury and I'm probably done," admitted Harris who in eight Tests in the baggy green has taken 35 wickets at an average of just 21.37.

"I haven't been told that officially, but in my mind, at 32 ... Test cricket is something I love, but you have to be playing two, three, four Tests in a row - not just one and then missing two or three.

"I'm sort of a bit scared about that to be honest.

"I don't want to give up playing Test cricket but I don't know why my body is going like it is."

Harris will consider playing a Twenty20 game for his Brisbane club side Toombul to get some bowling practice.

"To be honest, I'm not ready to go yet, I'm about 80 per cent," he said after his first session in the nets in Brisbane.

He has set his comeback date for next Tuesday's Big Bash clash against Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars at the Gabba in the hope of pushing for a Test recall.

"I'm aiming for Boxing Day and if it keeps going up like today (fitness levels) I will be available for it, but first of all I've got to be picked," he said.

Harris confirmed selectors had contacted him urging him to be available for the traditional Boxing Day Test.

"They (selectors) haven't assured me of a game but they want me available for selection," he said.

Harris, who took 13 wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka in October, said James Pattinson's 14-wicket haul on debut in the series against New Zealand was "amazing" and showed the bowling depth now available to selectors.

"We've got depth in our bowling and they may take my spot but if we win, it doesn't matter," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 13, 2011 20:48:46

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Dilshan injury casts shadow over Sri Lanka

Posted June 8, 2011 06:47:00

No sooner had Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan been named man-of-the-match in the drawn second Test against England at Lord's overnight, he was doubting his prospects of playing in the series climax.

Opening batsman Dilshan made 193 in Sri Lanka's first innings but was twice hit on the right thumb by fast bowler Chris Tremlett, causing a hairline fracture which has left a huge question mark over his availability for the third and final Test at the Rose Bowl starting on June 16.

"It is a small fracture," said Dilshan, off the field for the final two days at Lord's, where Sri Lanka restored some pride after going 1-0 down during an innings and 14-run first Test defeat in Cardiff.

"I will have to wait for 10-15 days and I shall see how it goes before the next Test match," Dilshan also told Sky Sports.

"I feel I will miss the last Test but I'll see how it goes in the next couple of days," said Dilshan who'll be replaced as captain by former skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who deputised at Lord's, if he is unfit for the Rose Bowl.

Dilshan, whose innings surpassed Sidath Wettimuny's 190 in 1984 as the best by a Sri Lankan in a Test at Lord's, was pleased by his side's increased resilience following their Cardiff collapse.

"Overall I am happy. It was all-round a very good performance after the Cardiff match," he said.

England captain Andrew Strauss set Sri Lanka a target of 343 to win in 58 overs after declaring the hosts second innings on 7 for 335.

That England total featured 106 from Alastair Cook - the opener's third century in four Test innings - and Kevin Pietersen's 72.

But, unlike Cardiff, Sri Lanka had few problems in closing out a draw.

"We thought we had a chance if we took early wickets," said Strauss.

"We knew the wicket on the fifth day at Lord's would be flat so we needed something special to happen," he added.

Cook's innings continued a remarkable sequence with his first innings 96 in this match the only time in the Essex left-hander's last four Test knocks he has failed to reach three figures.

Now the 26-year-old is just four hundreds away from equalling the England record of 22 Test centuries shared by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.

"My form's nice, but that form's not going to last forever so you've go to make the most of it while it does," said Cook.

However, Cook left himself open to some criticism by taking 137 balls for his second fifty when England was in search of quick runs.

"When we went out there today we were only 140 runs ahead, so if you lose a couple of wickets it's not a great position," Cook explained.

"It was about getting through that first hour and then building a partnership with Kev.

"We actually scored at four an over in that session - obviously I didn't do much of that scoring but you have to give credit to how Sri Lanka bowled."

- AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka, england

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