New Zealand test for shell-shocked Sri Lankans

Wicketkeeper Kusal Perera’s shock suspension after failing a drugs test has left Sri Lanka reeling ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand starting in Dunedin on Thursday.

After Dhammika Prasad’s series-ending back injury, it was the second damaging blow for Angelo Mathews’ new-look side in what was always going to be an uphill battle in testing New Zealand conditions.

Perera, 25, one of Sri Lanka’s new brigade following the retirements of several stars including Kumar Sangakkara, was sent home on Monday after returning a positive result to a banned steroid from a random test during their recent series against Pakistan. He is the second Sri Lankan international to fail a dope test following batsman Upul Tharanga’s suspension for three months after testing positive during the 2011 World Cup.

The loss of the three-Test keeper follows the back injury suffered by leading fast bowler Prasad in a warm-up match against a modest New Zealand Board President’s XI.

It was not the hit-out the tourists were hoping for with Dimuth Karunaratne’s 93 in the first innings, backed by 63 from Udara Jayasundara and 61 from Kithuruwan Vithanage in the second, the only scores of note.

The Sri Lankan batsmen can expect no mercy when the first Test starts at Dunedin’s University Oval on Thursday with New Zealand coach Mike Hesson ordering green, seaming pitches to suit his pace attack.