Kaushal Silva under precautionary care due to an on-field head injury

Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Silva suffered a dangerous head injury during a practice match at Pallekele and had to be immediately airlifted to a Colombo hospital for treatment. Initial CAT scans suggested Silva was out of danger, but he will continue to be monitored as a precautionary measure.

Silva was fielding at short-leg and was hit by a strong sweep shot by batsman Dinesh Chandimal. The cricketer, however, was wearing a helmet with additional padding on the back side which reduced the impact to a great extent.

The accident had occurred at about 3:30 pm and Silva was immediately taken to a Kandy hospital, where he underwent the initial CAT scan. The decision was then made to transfer him to Colombo.

“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.”

Teammates Sachitra Senanayake said Silva was left dazed moments after the impact, and that he had exhibited symptoms consistent with concussion immediately.

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 appeared likely to earn a place in Sri Lanka’s squad for the forthcoming Tests. Silva’s last Test came against West Indies in October 2015.

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