Sri Lanka may be forced to play out the majority of the Boxing Day Test with two key players injured after Chanaka Welegedara left the field early on day two with a suspected hamstring injury. He will undergo scans to assess the extent of the damage, and is not expected to take further part in the morning's play.
Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene was also off the field on day two, having fractured his right thumb while batting the previous day. Kumar Sangakkara has taken the gloves in his stead.
Welegedara opened the bowling for Sri Lanka on the second morning and was halfway through his fourth over of the day when he pulled up during his approach to the crease. He bent down to stretch his right hamstring, and appeared to be in discomfort as he left the field. Shaminda Eranga completed his over.
Welegedara has had an injury-plagued year, having missed eight months of Test cricket with two separate injuries. He strained his groin in March during the home series against England and though he had recovered from that by June, he tore a shoulder muscle as Sri Lanka prepared to play Pakistan later in the month. The Hobart Test against Australia was his first competitive cricket since March, as his recovery period did not coincide with Sri Lanka's domestic season.
Welegedara is regarded as the leader of Sri Lanka's pace attack, and a bowling unit already under considerable strain as they attempt to restrict Australia's lead on a good batting pitch will be stretched even further if Welegedara cannot bowl again in the match.
The loss of Jayawardene may already have hurt Sri Lanka, with Sangakkara having spilled a difficult chance to retrieve Shane Watson late on day one.
Welegedara sent for scans on hamstring
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Welegedara sent for scans on hamstring
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Welegedara sent for scans on hamstring
