In a disturbing news coming from Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan opener Kaushal Silva was airlifted to a Colombo hospital, after being struck on the head during a practice match at Pallekele. The southpaw was fielding at short leg before being hit on the head.
CAT scans suggested Silva was out of danger, but he will continue to be monitored as a precautionary measure.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the news on their official twitter account:
Kaushal Silva hit on head whilst fielding at Pallakelle. CT clear but airlifted to Colombo for precautionary observation and tests. #SLC
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) April 24, 2016
“Kaushal was fielding at short leg when he got hit,” team manager Charith Senanayake said.”[Dinesh Chandimal] swept right onto the back of Kaushal’s head. He did take evasive action, but still the ball hit him.”
Silva was initially taken to a Kandy hospital, where he underwent the initial CAT scan. The decision was then made to transfer him to Colombo.
The two-day practice match had been part of the Sri Lanka team’s preparation for the tour of England, which starts with the first Test at Leeds on May 19. Silva had struck a hundred in the first day of this match, and was almost certain of earning a place in the squad.