Batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has been cleared to return to the crease for Sri Lanka on day three of the second Test against Australia, less than 24 hours after he was felled by a Pat Cumming bouncer.
Karunaratne was forced to retire hurt on Saturday while unbeaten on 46 after he ducked into a short ball from Cummins and copped a brutal blow to the neck.
The opener maintained consciousness after the ball glanced his shoulder and struck his neck, however, he immediately reported pain at the impact point and a tingling feeling in his hands.
Play was stopped for almost 15 minutes as Karunaratne was treated on the field before he was put on a stretcher and taken from the field in a motorised buggy and taken to Canberra Hospital by ambulance.
He was released on Saturday night and given the all clear, before Sri Lankan officials confirmed on Sunday morning he will be able to bat once a wicket is lost, in line with the ICC's medical policy.
His return could be crucial, given Sri Lanka were 0-82 at the time of the incident but ended the day at 3-123 in reply to Australia's 5(dec)-534.
