Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya reported with suspect bowling action

Sri Lanka are currently playing a three-match Test series against England and have got off to a poor start courtesy of a 211-run defeat at Galle International Stadium. The second match is scheduled to be played from Wednesday, November 14 in Pallekele and the hosts have plenty of work to do as the home team would be desperate to win the next match and keep their hopes alive of winning the series.

Moreover, they have also lost veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who played his last international match in Galle and finished with over 430 Test wickets. In the meantime, the Lankans have been dealt with another body blow as right-arm off-break bowler Akila Dananjaya has been reported to have a suspect bowling action as per reports in International Cricket Council’s (ICC) twitter handle.

What’s next for Akila?

He is now required to undergo a test within 14 days and during this period, he can continue bowling in international cricket, until the results of the test are known. It also means that for the time being, he can play the second Test against the Three Lions. The tweaker made his international debut back in 2012 and has started featuring in the national team on a consistent basis since one year or so.

Combining Tests, ODIs and T20Is, the youngster has picked up 79 wickets in 50 international matches with four five-wicket hauls to his name. After Herath’s retirement, he is expected to shoulder the spin-department even in Test cricket. The 25-year-old played the first Test in Galle and he didn’t quite come into his own as the Poms’ batsmen played him without much discomfort.

In the first innings, Akila Dananjaya got rid of the left-handed Sam Curran but gave away 96 runs in his 20 overs at an economy of approximately five. Even in the second innings, the spinner gave away 87 runs at an economy of 4.61, picking up the wicket of debutant Ben Foakes. For the time being, the Lankan cricketing fraternity would be hoping for Dananjaya to clear the test.

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