Injured Suranga Lakmal out of Test series

Suranga Lakmal, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has been ruled out of the Test series in South Africa because of an ankle injury. He joins Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Dhammika Prasad, who were not considered for the tour, on the list of injured fast bowlers.

Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors, Duleep Mendis, said a replacement was not named for Lakmal. "We are hopeful that by the time the first Test ends at Centurion on December 19, one of the inured fast bowlers would be fit to fly to South Africa and replace Lakmal," Mendis said.

Sri Lanka play three Tests in South Africa, where they have never won a Test, followed by a five-ODI series. The first Test starts at SuperSport Park on December 15.

Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Chanaka Welegedara, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Thilan Samaraweera.