COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s frontline seamer Shaminda Eranga was Tuesday ruled out of the deciding second Test against South Africa due to a hand injury, dealing a fresh blow to the beleaguered hosts.

Eranga, 28, tore the webbing between the thumb and index finger of his right hand while fielding on day one of the first Test in Galle which Sri Lanka lost by 153 runs to go down 1-0 in the two-Test rubber.

He bowled just nine overs in the game, with his injury requiring eight stitches.

“Eranga has been ruled out of the second Test. The selectors have decided against picking a replacement for him,” Sri Lankan media manager Rajith Fernando said.

The national selectors however brought in uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella in place of Dinesh Chandimal who will now be flying to England to join the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team.

Eranga’s absence will be sorely felt by Sri Lanka as he has been the most effective bowler for them this year, taking 25 wickets at an average of 27.64.

Sri Lanka, who recently lost the ODI series against South Africa 2-1, have Dhammika Prasad and left-armer Chanaka Welegedara as fast-bowling cover in their squad.

Meanwhile, South Africa have called in former coach Gary Kirsten for some batting and strategic advice as they seek their first Test series win on the island in 21 years.

Kirsten relinquished his head coach position with the national team last year but he has been used as a consultant on an ad hoc basis.

“The arrangement (for him to join the team in Sri Lanka) was confirmed prior to the start of the two-Test series, and will continue throughout the season,” Cricket South Africa said.

Kirsten, a former South Africa batsman, will be with the team in Colombo until the second day of the Test match which is set to begin on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd , 2014