A groin injury to famous batsman Hashim Amla has added to South
Africa woes as they attempt to stop their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka from falling apart.
The Proteas are already 2-0 down in the 5-match one-day international series after being thrashed by 180 runs in Saturday opener, before falling by 17 runs in a rain-ruined game on Tuesday.
South Africa have now lost 11 consecutive ODI matches on Sri Lankan soil since 1993, but AB de Villiers' tourists must win Friday 3rd match in Pallekele to stay afloat in the series.
Amla, who missed the 1st match due to a stiff neck, fell clumsily while fielding near the boundary line on Tuesday and was rushed to hospital, where scans showed a strain to the left groin strength. Team manager Mohammed Moosajee said Amla was being put through rigorous treatment to ensure he is fit to play in the rest of the series.
Hashim Amla jarred his left knee into the ground while fielding, after which he reported anxiety in the pelvic and groin region, Moosajee said.
Injuries of this nature generally take three to 7 days to recover. But he will receive intensive treatment and rehab in the coming days to give him the best possible chance of being ready for the rest of the series.
Amla injury will further weaken the tourists, who are without 3 frontline players’ fast bowler Dale Steyn, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and former captain Graeme Smith - for the tour.
The 3rd and 4th matches will be held in Pallekele on Friday and Sunday, before the action returns to Colombo for the last game at the Premadasa stadium next Wednesday.
