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, which starts on September 26.
On Monday, September 23, the Lankan 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 Lankan cricket team was 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 strain in his right hamstring during practice.
Sri Lanka suffer a blow as Vishwa Fernando is ruled out of second Test against New Zealand
On Tuesday, September 24, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board officially confirmed that pacer Fernando has been 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 sent Fernando straight to the High Performance Centre for rehabilitation, leaving the Lankan cricket team looking for a replacement. However, the Lankans wasted no time in responding to the setback as they called up 27-year-old Nishan Peiris, a right-arm spinner, who replaced Fernando in the team.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated in an X post: “Vishwa Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practising; hence, he was sent to the High Performance Centre for rehabilitation. Nishan Peiris, the 27-year-old right-arm spinner, has joined the squad in place of Fernando.”
Here is the official announcement from SLC:
Vishwa Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practising and was sent to the High Performance Centre for rehabilitation.
Nishan Peiris, the 27-year-old right-hander, has joined the team in place of Fernando. #SLvNZ image.twitter.com/aCCvUxbsEv
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 24, 2024
Nishan Peiris set for international debut in second Test against New Zealand
Peiris, while not an exact replacement for Fernando in terms of style, brings his skills and abilities to the national Test squad. The out-of-contract loose-spinner will surely hope to rise to the occasion.
Well, all eyes will be on Peiris as the bowler 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 First-Class matches and picked up 172 wickets at an average of 24.37 and an economy rate of 3.42. The left-hander is also a skilled batsman, 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 List A cricket. The off-spinner recently played in the National Super League, where he has shown great form with the ball, and could be a useful option for Sri Lanka.
Prabath Jayasuriya’s superb bowling guided Sri Lanka to a thrilling victory in the first Test
It is noteworthy that Vishwa was not part of the Islanders’ starting XI in the first Test match. The second and final Test match is shaping up to be an exciting 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.
Talking about the first SL vs NZ Test, Sri Lanka registered a thrilling 63-run win over New Zealand in a closely contested first Test in Galle.
Kamindu Mendis’ century and Dimuth Karunaratne’s solid 83 led the way to this memorable victory, while Prabath Jayasuriya’s superb bowling, including two five-wicket hauls, dismantled New Zealand’s batting unit in Galle.