Kirsten granted leave to attend his critically ill mother

Mumbai, Aug 5 (UNI) Indian Cricket Coach Gary Kirsten will not be with the team for the third Test against Sri Lanka starting on August 9 as he is heading to South Africa to attend his ailing mother.

The former South African batsman has been granted leave by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend his mother, who is critically ill.

''Gary Kirsten, coach, Indian Team has been granted leave to go to South Africa to be with his mother,'' the BCCI said in a statement here today.

''Kirsten will not be available for the third Test match as he will be leaving from Colombo for South Africa tonight. There will not be any replacement in his absence,'' it added.

India levelled the series 1-1 after beating Sri Lanka by 170 runs in the second Test match in Galle. The hosts had won the first Test at the SSC in Colombo by an innings and 239 runs.

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