Injured Lakmal out of ODI series

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against England, after sustaining a grade-two tear on his right hamstring while running between wickets in the first ODI. Lakmal is expected to be available for the first Test, which begins at Lord's on June 12, but is unlikely to play in the practice match in Northampton. He will receive treatment in Sri Lanka, in the interim, the team's manager said.

While Lakmal was replaced by Dhammika Prasad in the playing XI for the second ODI on Sunday, Rangana Herath was added to the squad as Lakmal's replacement. The selectors had intended to preserve Herath for the Tests, in light of his chronic knee condition, but have chosen him despite team management earlier stating seam bowler Shaminda Eranga would be Lakmal's replacement.* Sri Lanka already have two frontline spinners in their ODI squad, in Sachithra Senanayake and Ajantha Mendis, as well as slow-bowling allrounder Chaturanga de Silva.

Lakmal is a key component of Sri Lanka's Test attack, and an injury of this magnitude in the approach to the Test series is a significant concern for the side. He was particularly prone to injury during the early years of his international career, but there were signs Lakmal's fitness had improved, when he bowled more than 130 overs in a three-match series against Pakistan in January.

Tillakaratne Dilshan had suffered a groin strain in the first ODI, but passed a fitness test on Sunday to keep his place in the XI.

* May 26, 1108 GMT. The news story was changed to reflect Rangana Herath's inclusion in the squad