England skipper Joe Root expressed sympathy on the Sri Lankan off-spinner Akila Dananjaya who has been reported with the suspected bowling action after the Galle Test.

At the end of the first Test of the three-match Test series that the visitors England won by 211 runs, the match officials reported with the suspected bowling action of Dananjaya. Later, that report was handed over to the Sri Lankan team management. Though he is available for the second Test at Kandy, starting on Wednesday (November 14), he is likely to miss the third and final Test of the series as he has to undergo with the test within the next 14 days.

Talking about this report, Root calls an unfortunate matter that he has to deal with.

The English Test skipper said, “It is an unfortunate thing he has to deal with. Ultimately for us we played him at Galle pretty well throughout the last game. If you see anyone with a question mark by their action, you hope they get through and it doesn’t hamper their career. It is never nice to see.”

Also read: Ben Foakes will keep wicket in the Kandy Test as England will go with same playing XI

However, Root also claimed that the suspected action hadn’t shocked him.

Root added, “It didn’t really stand out to me personally. It doesn’t matter what his action is like, it’s how we play him. It’s how it comes down to us playing the ball, being skillful enough to react to the delivery on the surface.”

In further progress, Dananjaya’s bowling action will be scrutinised under the ICC process. The Sri Lankan off-spinner will have to undergo testing within next 14 days. However, he can still bowl in the international cricket till the test results have come out.

Also read: Ben Foakes ready to leave his place for Jonny Bairstow

Sri Lankan stand-in Test skipper Suranga Lakmal said that Dananjaya would play the second Test as the ICC rules allow him to play the international matches until the test reports.

Also read: Dinesh Chandimal Rules Out Of The Series, Replacement Announced

Lakmal said, “There are no ICC rules saying he cannot play. He can still play and he’s in a good mentality, he will still play the next match and correct his mistake.”