Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been reportedly ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against England after suffering stiffness and spasms in his back and neck. The Sri Lanka team management and selectors have decided not to risk him for the remaining matches.
Hasaranga will return to Sri Lanka for further medical assessment. The leg-spinner missed the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, where debutant Sachindu Colombage impressed with three wickets. England won the match by 89 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series.
Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of Remaining England ODIs
According to Newswire, Wanindu Hasaranga missed the opening ODI because of the back and neck issue, with Sachindu Colombage replacing him in Sri Lanka’s playing XI. The debutant registered figures of 3/44, dismissing Joe Root and Jos Buttler during England’s innings.
With Hasaranga still dealing with physical discomfort, the Sri Lankan management and selectors opted against risking him in the remaining matches at Leeds and The Oval. The decision allows him to return home, undergo further assessment, and focus on his recovery before the Pakistan series in October.
Wanindu Hasaranga Struggles During England T20I Series
Wanindu Hasaranga found it difficult to make his usual impact during the three-match T20I series. He scored four runs and took 1/34 in the opening game at Southampton before making 27 runs and conceding 42 runs in Cardiff.
During the third T20I in Manchester, Hasaranga scored seven runs before being dismissed hit-wicket while attempting a shot against Jofra Archer. He then bowled only one over, conceding 11 runs without taking a wicket.
England completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep, winning the opening match by 119 runs after scoring 254/4. They then chased Sri Lanka’s 145/9 in 12.1 overs in Cardiff and followed it with an eight-wicket victory in Manchester after bowling the visitors out for 124.
The dominance continued in the first ODI. England posted 265 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 176 in 37 overs. Will Jacks starred with an unbeaten 46 and a career-best 5/22, giving England an 89-run victory.
Wanindu Hasaranga Faces Another Injury Setback in 2026
The latest back and neck problem adds to a difficult year for Hasaranga. During Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in Colombo in February, he produced a match-winning 3/25 before suffering a serious left hamstring tear during the game.
An MRI scan confirmed the severity of the injury after it was reviewed by a specialist in the United Kingdom. Sri Lanka Cricket then ruled Hasaranga out of the remainder of the tournament and replaced him with Dushan Hemantha.
The hamstring injury also kept Wanindu Hasaranga out of IPL 2026. He had been signed by Lucknow Super Giants, but Sri Lanka Cricket did not grant him a No Objection Certificate because he had not received the required match-fitness clearance. He was subsequently ruled out for around two months.
Also read: Sri Lanka announce 15-member squad for 2026 Asian Games, Sahan Arachchige named captain
