Welagedara had match figures of 3-74 in the first test in Galle. -AP Photo

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka paceman Chanaka Welagedara is doubtful for the second test against Australia starting in Kandy on Thursday because of a knee injury, while the tourists have confirmed that batsman Shaun Marsh will make his debut at number three.

“We have to assess him (Walagedara) this evening and the physio will make a decision tomorrow morning,” Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan told reporters on Wednesday, hinting that Shaminda Eranga may also make his test debut.

“Eranga is in the final 13 and he may play.”

Welagedara had match figures of 3-74 in the first test in Galle, including the dismissal of Australian opener Shane Watson with the opening ball of the second innings.

Australia, who won last week's match by 125 runs to take a 1-0 lead the in three-match series, have made a single change to that side, calling up Marsh as a replacement for Ricky Ponting.

The former captain returned home to be present for the birth of his second child but is expected to return for the third test.

“I could have moved to number three, Usman (Khawaja) could have batted at three... he has done it before,” Australia skipper Michael Clarke said.

“I thought for the benefit of the team, that straight swap Shaun in for Ricky... probably causes less disruption to the other boys.”

Opinion

Editorial

New CEC?
Updated 29 Mar, 2025

New CEC?

The ruling parties should avoid getting involved in another controversy around the ECP.
Balochistan violence
Updated 29 Mar, 2025

Balochistan violence

How long can the state allow this unending cycle of violence in Balochistan to continue?
Turkiye protests
29 Mar, 2025

Turkiye protests

DAILY protests have continued in Turkiye since the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. While the...
Fear tactics
Updated 28 Mar, 2025

Fear tactics

Under Peca amendments, regime has legal cover to bully and harass working journalists for taking adversarial positions.
Hints of hope
28 Mar, 2025

Hints of hope

PAKISTAN’S economic growth has slowed in the second quarter of the ongoing fiscal year from a year ago as the...
Capacity issues
Updated 28 Mar, 2025

Capacity issues

Development of railway capacity to facilitate ordinary travellers does not seem to have been a priority for Pakistan.