Injured Prasad 'unlikely' for remainder of England tour

Fast bowler Dhammika Prasad is being sent to Sri Lanka for further treatment on his shoulder strain, and is "unlikely" to play a further role on the tour of England.

The injury had continued to prevent Prasad from bowling in the nets, nine days after he sustained it during a tour match. The exact nature of the injury is unknown, as tests have so far have proved inconclusive.

"After yesterday's fitness test, the management took a decision that he would be sent back for further treatment," team manager Charith Senanayake said. "It's the prevailing injury. He was to do another test today, but yesterday we tested him at training and he still couldn't bowl."

Prasad is certainly out of the first two Tests. Though there is an eight-day gap between the second and third Tests, Senanayake said it was "unlikely" Prasad would return.

Sri Lanka now have only four specialist seamers on tour, and may consider naming a replacement. Right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha and left-armer Vishwa Fernando appear the lead contenders, as both had been named in the larger training squad ahead of the tour.

Prasad's absence is a significant one for Sri Lanka. He had been the team's pace spearhead through 2015, claiming 41 wickets at an average of 24.95 in the year. If he does not play the third Test at Lord's, the England tour will be the second he has missed on the trot, having also been ruled out of the year-end tour to New Zealand with a back injury.