Mendis likely to miss Bangladesh Tests

Sri Lanka in Bangladesh 2008-09

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

December 11, 2008

	Ajantha Mendis injured his ankle while bowling for Army SC against Tamil Union © AFP

Ajantha Mendis, the Sri Lankan spinner, is likely to miss the Test series in Bangladesh, which begins on December 26, after injuring his ankle while bowling for Army SC in his first match of the domestic season against Tamil Union last weekend.

Ranjith Nanayakkarawasam, the Sri Lanka team physio, said Mendis had strained his right ankle and was undergoing treatment. "The injury will take at least three to four weeks to heal," he said.

As a result, Mendis is likely to miss the first two Tests against Bangladesh scheduled to start on December 26 and January 3. However, Sri Lanka Cricket sources said he stood a good chance of playing the one-day tri-series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, beginning on January 10.

Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, will take Mendis' place in Sri Lanka's 15-man Test squad. Herath's last Test was in March this year, against West Indies in Guyana.

Mendis has had a successful run in 2008, announcing his arrival with 26 wickets at 18.38 apiece in his debut Test series against India earlier this year. He had a superb run in ODI's as well - he took 48 wickets in 18 matches - and is the favourite to become the fastest to fifty wickets and beat Ajit Agarkar, who achieved that feat in 23 games.

© Cricinfo