Sri Lanka and New Zealand have been dealt injury blows at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Michael Bracewell ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, their boards said.
Sri Lanka leg-spinner Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during his side’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday. He returned figures of 3-25 in four overs before aggravating the problem.
An MRI scan revealed a severe tear in his left hamstring, and Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed he would take no further part in the tournament. Local media reported that Hasaranga is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks.
The tournament’s Event Technical Committee approved Dushan Hemantha as his replacement. Hemantha has represented Sri Lanka in five one-day internationals and three T20 internationals.
New Zealand all-rounder Bracewell was also ruled out after aggravating a pre-existing calf injury during warm-ups ahead of their match against Afghanistan in Chennai on Feb. 8.
Bracewell had earlier sustained a tear in his left calf during the third ODI against India last month and reinjured the same muscle. Scans indicated he would require around three weeks to recover, ending his World Cup campaign.
Off-spinning all-rounder Cole McConchie will travel to India to join the squad as a travelling reserve alongside pace bowler Ben Sears, New Zealand Cricket said.
Both teams will now need to adjust their combinations as the tournament progresses.
(IANS)
