Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga hospitalised over heart ailment

Eranga is the only international bowler to pick up a wicket in his very first over in all three formats of the game

Sri Lanka’s preparations for the upcoming ODI series against England were dealt a severe blow with news coming in that fast bowler Shaminda Eranga has been hospitalised after complaining of a heart ailment, NDTV Sports reports. Sri Lanka Cricket are yet to divulge further details about the matter and it is only known that the 29-year-old has been admitted to a hospital in London. 

Eranga, who holds the distinction of being the only bowler to pick up a wicket in his very first over in all three formats of cricket, had been reported for a suspect action by on-field umpires S Ravi and Aleem Dar during the second match of the recently concluded three-Test series between hosts England and Sri Lanka.

With the International Cricket Council rules stipulating that a bowler reported for possessing an illegal action should get himself tested at an ICC Accredited centre within 14 days of being reported, Eranga was set to undergo testing at the Loughborough University in London on Monday. The possibility of that going ahead looks grim now and a rescheduled date is expected to be announced soon. 

With the ICC allowing players to bowl even after being reported until the results of the test are declared, Eranga was expected to lead the Sri Lankan pace attack as they seek to avenge their disappointing 2-0 loss in the Test series against the hosts. After a disappointing start to the tour with a return of just one wicket in 47 overs across three innings in the first two Tests, Eranga came back strongly in the final Test at Lord’s picking up four wickets. 

In the absence of the injured pair of Dhammika Prasad, who returned to Sri Lanka after suffering a shoulder strain during a tour match, and Dushmantha Chameera, who has been advised rest for a period of four months after four months suffering a stress fracture in his lower back, the 1996 World Cup winners was banking on Eranga to be their leading weapon in the bowling department. 

The fans from the island nation will now have to wait for an official press release from the hospital where Eranga is undergoing treatment regarding clarity on his medical condition before any decision can be taken regarding the fast bowler’s availability for the remainder of the tour. With just two days to go before the first ODI at Nottingham, Eranga is all but ruled out of the match but Sri Lankan will be hoping that he will be able to take part in the rest of the four ODIs.