Suranga Lakmal not to play Pakistan Tests as he suffers from dengue

Sri Lanka’s test bowling champion Suranga Lakmal will miss the two-match Test series in Pakistan as he suffers from dengue, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed.

He is likely to be replaced by fast bowler Asitha Fernando.

“He is down with dengue and will not be travelling with the team,” confirmed SLC CEO Ashley de Silva.

Lakmal was due to depart to Pakistan today, his first visit since he and his team mates were attacked by armed gunmen on the way to Gaddafi Stadium in 2009 killing seven and injuring at least seven Sri Lankan players.

Moreover, Former test captain Graeme Smith is all set to become Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket, according to CSA president Chris Nenzani.

Board’s president, Chris Nenzani said, “I am happy to announce that we have engaged Graeme Smith and I am confirming that by next week Wednesday all of the negotiations around the contract terms that need to take place would have been concluded.”

Smith will have just around couple of weeks to put a selection panel and coaching staff in place before the first of four Test series against England underway in Centurion on December 26.

Tony Irish, Chief Executive of the SA Cricketers Association (SACA), which called on Friday for Nenzani and the entire board to resign, said in a tweet: “Appalled that the president and board of CSA have taken no responsibility for cricket’s biggest crisis. Now clinging to power.”

He said SACA was likely to make a detailed response on Sunday or Monday.