“The x-ray showed a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sri Lanka pace bowler Dhammika Prasad will miss the World Cup after fracturing his hand during a training session on Saturday.

The injury occurred when Prasad was struck on the hand by a ball smashed back at him by all-rounder Thisara Perera.

Prasad’s injury will take approximately four weeks to heal and chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya will name a replacement soon.

“Dhammika Prasad was hit on the outside of the left hand when attempting a return catch while bowling,” an official release said. “The x-ray showed a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone. The fracture has been realigned and put in a cast. Dhammika will not be available for the upcoming World Cup.”

While it is unknown who will replace Prasad, Jayasuriya will have many options to choose from since pace bowlers Shaminda Eranga and Dushmantha Chameera are on standby.

However, Jayasuriya may also consider bolstering Sri Lanka’s batting line-up by adding another batsman into the squad.