Prabath Nissanka's absence prolonged

By Clifford Landers reporting from Melbourne

Sri Lankan pace bowler Prabath Nissanka's absence from cricket will be prolonged for a further period of time after undergoing an operation for cruciate ligament ACL knee construction over two weeks ago here.

Nissanka arrived in Melbourne on September 9 and was immediately listed for surgery on his left-leg the next day by the ever willing Dr. David Young, a household name in Sri Lanka cricket who is very much involved in the medical aspect of the players. Under advise Nissanka is resting and will be away from the game for between 6 to 9 months.

After claiming five wickets in his final Test match against the West Indies in the Caribbean in 2003, Nissanka suffered tendon and four hamstring tares on his injury prone left-leg before entering the game at Mercantile level early this year before sustaining this injury.

It has compelled him to stay in Australia until March 2006 in order to begin rehabilitation in a month's time and undergo physiotherapy treatment under former Sri Lanka team physio Alex Kontouri whom Nissanka praised and possess thorough confidence. "He has been an outstanding physio and I have great confidence in him and also Tommy, the current team physio in Sri Lanka", he said.

The 25-year old who played four Tests and 26 one-day games, revealed that the injuries and absence from playing international cricket for over two years is frustrating and disappointing, "It is hard because I was beginning to perform well and improve when the initial tendon injury occurred, but I am raring and determined to comeback and represent my country at all levels including the 2007 World Cup", he told the 'Daily News'.

He was thankful and grateful to Sri Lankan migrant David Cruze - Managing Director of Knox Tavern and ardent supporter of Sri Lanka cricket for his efforts in providing him with the typical Sri Lankan hospitality and concern for his wellbeing, Dr. David Young and everyone involved in making him feel welcome and homely.

He is looking forward to attend the Johnnie Walker Super one-day series against the ICC World XI and Australia at the Telstra Dome here on October 5, 7 and 9 and meeting mates Muttiah Muralitharana and Kumar Sangakara.

Nissanka congratulated his Sri Lankan team mates on their outstanding performance and whitewash against Bangladesh and wished them the same success against India next month while pace bowler Dilhara Fernando's comeback and performance also delighted him.

"It was good to see Dilhara comeback and perform as he did because he is too good a bowler to fail. I wish him the very best against India and the future", he concluded.