Sri Lanka: Deadline for injured players to prove fitness (28 November 1998)

28 November 1998

Sri Lanka: Deadline for injured players to prove fitness

By Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Four injured Sri Lanka cricketers named in the 15-member squad to Australia next month have been given a deadline till December 23 to prove their fitness.

Sri Lanka vice-captain Aravinda de Silva (left thigh), off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan (right shoulder), left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa (side strain) and leg-spinner Upul Chandana (breathing problem) have all got to play in the Cricket Board's fifty-over inter-club tournament starting next month and prove their match fitness.

Chairman of Selectors Duleep Mendis said that his committee will be closely monitoring the progress of these players and if they are proved unfit, a replacement would be named before the team departs for Australia in the first week of January to participate in the World Series Cup with the host nation and England.

Limited over cricket is all about fitness and the selection committee don't want to leave any stone unturned, but send the best squad to Australia. They have a laid down policy matter not to send half fit players on tours. They are guided on the fitness of players by the team's physio Alex Kountouri, whose advice they don't challenge.

Muralitharan was taken to Sharjah on Kountouri's advice, but never recovered sufficiently to play in any of the matches.

According to the physio, Muralitharan, who jarred his right shoulder while fielding, still finds it painful when he lifts his hand above his head. Dr Siri Kannangara, resident in Australia, who was in Sri Lanka recently, has been treating him.

De Silva, according to Kountouri is expected to start batting in about 10 days. He has to be cautious not to twist and turn suddenly lest he aggravate his injury.

Kountouri revealed that De Silva strains his left leg more because it is longer than his right.

Zoysa, he said, had recovered from a side strain, but was not match fit. On Kountouri's advice, Zoysa was kept back from playing for SSC in the under 23 final which began yesterday.

"Until his body matures, Zoysa will be having injuries all the time. The best thing is to keep playing him, when he is match fit," he said.

Chandana, who suffered from breathing problems has been cleared medically, but must now prove his match fitness.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)