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Injured Amla in doubt for third ODI

Hashim Amla is in severe doubt for the third ODI against Sri Lanka after sustaining a grade one tear to his left groin muscle while fielding during Sri Lanka's innings

Hashim Amla was assisted off the field during Sri Lanka's innings  •  AFP

Hashim Amla was assisted off the field during Sri Lanka's innings  •  AFP

Hashim Amla is in severe doubt for the third ODI against Sri Lanka after sustaining a grade one tear to his left groin muscle, while fielding during the second match in Colombo. He did not bat on Tuesday after leaving the field in the 43rd over of Sri Lanka's innings. Amla also missed the first match with muscles spasms in his neck.
Fielding at fine leg, Amla pursued a ball off Dinesh Chandimal's blade, and in his efforts to reel it in, leapt and fell hard on his left knee. He did not rise without help thereafter, and after receiving treatment on the boundary line, was helped gingerly back to the pavilion by a member of the team's medical staff and a team-mate.
"Injuries of this nature usually take three to seven days to recover, but he will receive intensive treatment and rehab in the coming days to give him the best possible chance of being ready for the third or fourth ODI in Kandy this week," Mossajee said.
South Africa are also missing Amla's opening partner and regular captain Graeme Smith, due to injury, while spearhead Dale Steyn was also ruled out for the tour, as he recovers fully from a side strain.
Sri Lanka meanwhile will have captain Angelo Mathews back for the remaining ODIs, after he completed his suspension for a slow over rate in the West Indies. The hosts have their own injury worry, with Lahiru Thirimanne nursing a sore thumb after being hit there during the second match, but is not expected to miss a game.
The third ODI will be played in Pallekele on Friday, and the fourth on Sunday at the same venue. South Africa are 2-0 down in the series.

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. He tweets here