News

Lower-back strain cuts short Thirimanne's England tour

Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has left Sri Lanka's ongoing tour of England after sustaining a lower-back strain, which restricted his movement

Lahiru Thirimanne suffered a lower back strain, which restricted his movement  •  Getty Images

Lahiru Thirimanne suffered a lower back strain, which restricted his movement  •  Getty Images

Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has left Sri Lanka's ongoing tour of England after sustaining a lower-back strain, which restricted his movement. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who was in England already with the A team, has joined the national squad as Thirimanne's replacement. Thirimanne played all three Tests, but had not played in the ODIs - against Ireland or England - on the tour.
Angelo Mathews and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal are nursing hamstring injuries, but have been named in the XI for the third ODI in Bristol. An SLC statement said seam-bowling allrounder Farveez Maharoof is also "sporting an injury to his left hand", though he too continues to play.
Dickwella had been in Sri Lanka's Test squad, but did not play a game. He has played one ODI - in India in 2014 - four Tests and three T20 internationals.

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando