England captain Joe Root had words of sympathy for Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya who will go into the second Test on Wednesday with his bowling action under investigation by cricket's world body.
Root was questioned about Dananjaya as it was announced that England would keep the same team that hammered Sri Lanka in the first Test with Ben Stokes playing as number three batsman and Jonny Bairstow kept out despite being fit again.
Sri Lanka has insisted that the 25-year-old off-spinner Dananjaya is ready to play despite the International Cricket Council reporting him for his bowling in the first Test.
“It is an unfortunate thing he has to deal with,” said Root.
Under ICC rules Dananjaya must undergo testing at an approved ICC centre within two weeks and he is expected to fly to Australia as soon as the second Test ends.
“There are no ICC rules saying he cannot play,” said Suranga Lakmal, who will captain Sri Lanka in the absence of injured Dinesh Chandimal.
England's unchanged team may mean Root and coach Trevor Bayliss want Ben Stokes to establish himself as a regular No. 3 — a troublesome position for England.
Stokes, who batted No. 5 in the first Test, had been in competition with Jos Buttler for a boost up the order.
Stokes has played 64 of his 85 Test knocks at No. 6.