Cricket: Sri Lanka pacer Eranga ruled out of second Test

COLOMBO, July 22, 2014 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's frontline seamer Shaminda Eranga was Tuesday ruled out of the deciding second Test against South Africa due to a hand injury, dealing a fresh blow to the beleaguered hosts.









Eranga, 28, tore the webbing between the thumb and index finger of his right hand while fielding on day one of the first Test in Galle which Sri Lanka lost by 153 runs to go down 1-0 in the two-Test rubber. He bowled just nine overs in the game, with his injury requiring eight stitches.

"Eranga has been ruled out of the second Test.

The selectors have decided against picking a replacement for him," Sri Lankan media manager Rajith Fernando told AFP.

The national selectors however brought in uncapped wicketkeepeer-batsman Niroshan Dickwella in place of Dinesh Chandimal who will now be flying to England to join the Sri Lanka A team.

Eranga's absence will be sorely felt by Sri Lanka as he has been the most effective bowler for them this year, taking 25 wickets at an average of 27.64.

Sri Lanka, who recently lost the one-day series against South Africa 2-1, have Dhammika Prasad and left-armer Chanaka Welegedara as fast-bowling cover in their squad.

Meanwhile, South Africa have called