Chandimal fails to recover, Lakmal to continue as Sri Lanka skipper in third Test

Sri Lanka were hoping to get Chandimal back for the final Test after his initial reports suggested a two-week recovery time. But despite having sat out the second Test in Pallekele, the injury still lingers.

Sri Lanka’s hopes of getting their captain back for the final Test against England went up in smoke after it was confirmed that Dinesh Chandimal failed to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during the first Test.

Sri Lanka were hoping to get Chandimal back for the final Test after his initial reports suggested a two-week recovery time. But despite having sat out the second Test in Pallekele, the injury still lingers.

"I did a fitness test on Monday, and afterwards there were still symptoms of this injury," Chandimal told ESPNcricinfo. "The physio has said it will take about another week for it to be 100%."

Danushka Gunathilaka has been called up in the squad as Chandimal’s replacement and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal will continue to lead the Lankans.

Gunathilaka is expected to walk into the playing XI after the dismal performance from opener Kaushal Silva in the first two matches of the series. With the series already gone, the hosts will play for pride in the third Test at Colombo starting from Friday.