Injury scare for Sri Lanka

Cape Town - Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal and pace bowler Dilhara Fernando are both in doubt for the third and final Test against South Africa, according to captain Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Chandimal was struck on his right elbow in the nets on Sunday afternoon by bowler Dhammika Prasad and suffered bruising to his right elbow, with x-rays ruling out a fracture.

"We're still not sure about Chandimal but we think he will be fine for tomorrow," Dilshan said on Monday.

"He's getting better but still has some pain so maybe a few more hours of ice and treatment will help him."

Dilshan said last-minute decisions would be made on both players on Tuesday morning ahead of the series decider in Cape Town.

Chandimal, 22, made his Test debut in Durban last week, scoring half-centuries in both innings and performing efficiently behind the stumps.

As well as taking three catches and a stumping, he shared two century-partnerships.

His seventh-wicket stand of 111 runs with Thilan Samaraweera, in the first innings, set up the match, and the 104-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara took the game beyond South Africa's reach.

Dilshan admitted it would be a big blow for Sri Lanka if the all-rounder could not play, but they had to look on the bright side.

"Chandimal did a great job for us in his first Test with his two fantastic fifties," the skipper said.

"He is great for the team so, of course, it would be a big loss for us but it's another opportunity for another guy to do well, if he can't play, but I am confident he will be okay."

Fernando has almost certainly been ruled out with a sore knee and was expected to be replaced by right-arm seamer Prasad.

Prasad has played eight Tests for Sri Lanka with his best bowling (three for 82) coming in his debut match against India in August 2008.

Dilshan admitted his team arrived here as underdogs and, after levelling the series at Kingsmead, he hoped Sri Lanka could finish strongly in the last Test.

"We knew it would be very difficult to beat South Africa, but after winning in Durban it gave us confidence," he said.

"Our fast bowlers have done a good job throughout the series and we're looking forward to their performances tomorrow."

Dilshan said it had been their dream to win a game in South Africa and they hoped for a strong finish in the third Test.

"If we could win the series it would be fantastic," he said.

"It was our dream to win a match in South Africa, but if we won the series, it would be a great achievement for the team."