Sri Lanka quartet out of second West Indies Test

Sri Lanka Cricket have confirmed that four of their players are unavailable for selection for the second Test against the West Indies, set to begin on Friday (July 3).

Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Ramesh Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are all out of the second Test in Antigua due to injury or illness. Sri Lanka are currently 1-0 behind in the two-Test series.

Nissanka featured in the first Test, which the West Indies won by an innings and 217 runs. Opening alongside Nishan Madushka, he managed scores of 2 & 3.

According to SLC, he experienced "persistent wrist pain" following the first Test and was advised to undergo surgery. Consequently, he departed for the UK on June 30, two days after its conclusion, for a surgical procedure.

Lahiru Kumara also played the first Test as one of three quicks picked by Sri Lanka. He could manage just one over, conceding four runs. Upon attempting his second, Kumara pulled up holding his right hamstring, and had to be forced off the field. It wasn't the first time Kumara had suffered a hamstring issue, with SLC confirming that he is undergoing rehabilitation after sustaining a Grade 1 tear.

In the absence of Kumara - Sri Lanka's third-highest wicket-taking quick in Tests - the West Indies posted a mammoth 626/9, including a record-breaking 401-run stand between Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase. As Sri Lanka ran out of options, Kamindu Mendis, who rarely bowls in Tests, sent down nine overs.

Vishwa Fernando wasn't picked, as he experienced a recurrence of right-sided lower back, trunk and hip pain while bowling in the warm-up match that preceded the first Test. He bowled nine overs in that game, the least among the quicks. SLC have confirmed he has not fully recovered despite showing "steady progress over the past week".

Ramesh Mendis, who last featured in the second Galle Test against Australia in February 2025, is currently recovering from a bacterial infection contracted during the tour, according to the board.

Updated Sri Lanka squad: Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara, Isitha Wijesundera