December 29, 2008
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Spinner Ajantha Mendis has joined Sri Lanka's Test squad in Dhaka after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in a domestic first-class match earlier this month. "My ankle is alright now and I am not feeling any pain," he told reporters on his arrival.
Mendis, who picked up 26 wickets in his debut three-Test series against India, was replaced by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for the Bangladesh Tests after he was expected to be out of action for three to four weeks. Mendis had suffered severe soft tissue damage in his right ankle while playing for Sri Lanka Army Sports Club against Tamil Union - his first domestic game this season.
He is expected to return to Sri Lanka's line-up for the second Test, which begins in Chittagong on January 3. Sri Lanka are poised for a 1-0 lead in the series, having amassed a 406-run lead in their second innings of the first Test. There are two days remaining in the Test, which had Tuesday pencilled in a rest day - unusual in recent years - due to the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
Following the Tests, Sri Lanka will play a triangular one-day tournament also involving Zimbabwe, which starts on January 10. Mendis, who has 48 wickets from 18 ODIs, is likely to become the quickest to 50 wickets - Ajit Agarkar currently holds the record, having reached the milestone in his 23rd match.
© Cricinfo
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