Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, & Matheesa Pathirana set to join Sri Lankan squad as backups: SLC

Sri Lanka suffered a chastening defeat at the hands of the defending champions Australia in their second match of the Super 12 stage. But it wasn't the only worry for the Asian champions as pace bowler Binura Fernando limped off the field just five deliveries into his spell. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has acted swiftly to the injury by deciding to send three additional players for the ongoing T20 World Cup as backups to the current squad.

The Islanders have been marred by injuries recently, with the likes of Danushka Gunathilaka (hamstring), Dushmantha Chameera (calf), and Dilshan Madushanka (quad), already ruled out from the ICC event. Binura's injury scare is a big worry for Dasun Shanaka, who seems to be running out of options at the moment.

With the side struggling with several injuries, the SLC has announced the decision of sending Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, & Matheesa Pathirana to Australia as backups to the current squad in an event of any further casualty. The announcement was made via SLC's official Twitter handle.

"SLC has decided to send 3 additional players to Australia to remain as backups in the event of any replacements. Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, & Matheesa Pathirana will be sent along with Tim McCaskill, Head of the High-Performance Center of the SLC," the tweet read.

🚨 SLC has decided to send 3 additional players to Australia to remain as backups in the event of any replacements.
Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, & Matheesa Pathirana will be sent along with Tim McCaskill, Head of the High Performance Center of the SLC.#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mGWpZK4x8f

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 26, 2022

We’re having a bit of bad luck around injuries at the moment: Silverwood

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan head coach Chris Silverwood also bemoaned about the occurrence of frequent injuries in the squad, providing an update on the latest injury setback to Binura Fernando. The Englishman hopes the lanky pacer will be available for their upcoming clash against last year's runner-up New Zealand on October 29.

“Obviously we’re having a bit of bad luck around injuries at the moment, especially, as you said, in the pace stock. We’ll obviously assess him (Fernando). The physio is working with him now and the doctor, so we’ll find out exactly the extent of the injury to starting with and we’ll have to make some decisions from there… Yes, (it’s his) his hamstring," said Silverwood when asked about the pacer's injury in a press conference.