Sri Lanka will be without key paceman Suranga Lakmal for Test

South Africa have lost their leading fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka will be without key paceman Suranga Lakmal for the second and final Test starting on Sunday, AFP reported.

Cricket South Africa announced on Saturday that Rabada will not play at the Wanderers Stadium with a view to him being fully fit for the forthcoming series against Pakistan and Australia, AFP added.

Rabada missed South Africa’s innings victory in the first Test in Centurion because of a groin strain but rejoined the squad during the match.

“The medical team are very happy with his progress but in terms of workload we want to make sure he is in the right space to compete fully against Pakistan and Australia,” a team spokesperson said.

Sri Lanka have been even harder hit, with leading fast bowler Lakmal not expected to play because of a hamstring strain that kept him out of the first Test.

Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara both suffered groin injuries in the first encounter that have ruled them out of action.

Sri Lanka have also been deprived of three of their top batsmen. Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal were both injured during the first Test, while Oshada Fernando has not recovered fully from an ankle injury.

“We don’t have our best eleven,” Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne said in the AFP report.

“But we have youngsters and they have done well in our domestic competitions.”