2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Thisara Perera Takes a Blow To Head, Escapes Injury Scare
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:43 PM
An all round performance from their batters guided Sri Lanka to a record successful run chase against India, as Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Angelo Mathews spurred them to a seven-wicket victory at The Oval, in London, on Thursday.
Group B is now wide open as all the teams need to win their last game to reach the semis. India will play South Africa on Sunday while Pakistan will face the challenge of Sri Lanka on Monday.
However, before the crucial game, Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera was hit by a ball on the head during practice at Cardiff on Saturday but has fortunately escaped any injury scare, confirmed the board’s official Twitter handle. Perera is amongst the new generation of attacking all-rounders from the Island nation.
BREAKING: @OfficialSLC All-rounder @PereraThisara takes a blow to head during practice. No serious injury – is under observation. #CT17
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) June 11, 2017
At the heart of this famous chase was a 158-run partnership between Danushka Gunathilaka (76 of 72) and Kusal Mendis (89 of 93). Sri Lanka looked much calm and composed in their chase, it was well scripted by the youngsters and also Mathews returning to the game after a long time. The defining innings of the game, though, was played by Kusal Mendis. His 89 runs came handy. Hopefully, Sri Lanka would look upon on them to defeat Pakistan on Monday.
There has been no serious injury as reported and although under careful observation there is currently no complaint related to head injury.
Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to keep him under strict medical observation. Group B which consists of India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka remains to be uncertain. All four teams have a win and a loss under their belt and are left with one match apiece.