COLOMBO: In a major setback to Sri Lanka, skipper Angelo Mathews is all set to fly back home after injuring his ankle during his side’s three-wicket win over South Africa in the second Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Although Mathews' return was a prior arrangement based on "personal grounds", a Sri Lanka Cricket release confirmed that he has now been granted permission to head home after injuring himself.
Mathews is now doubtful for rest of the South Africa tour, which also features one-day international series.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) further confirmed that Mathews would now be replaced as captain by Dinesh Chandimal for the third and final T20 against the Proteas to be played on January 25 in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and opener Dhanuskha Gunathilaka are also expected to return home to recover from their respective injuries.
The national team’s physiotherapist said that Nuwan Pradeep sustained a hand injury following the match on January 17. He has been requested to rest and will not be available for the next four weeks.
Opener Gunathilaka, on the other hand, suffered a back injury and has been advised to rest for three weeks for optimal recovery.
Following the conclusion of the T20 series which is currently levelled at 1-1, the two sides will head to five-match ODI series against the Faf du Plessis-led side beginning on January 28 at St George's Oval in Port Elizabeth.