Atapattu in doubt for NatWest series

Sri Lankan vice-captain Marvan Atapattu will play no further part in the third npower Test match and could miss the Natwest triangular series that follows.

Atapattu, who has been in good touch throughout the tour, scoring 185 at Lord's and 56 at Edgbaston, was forced to retire hurt after being hit by an Andrew Flintoff delivery on his right index finger.

Apparently in intense pain, he was rushed off to hospital for x-rays, which indicated that he had either sustained a fracture or aggravated an old injury.

A further x-ray on Sunday morning also proved inconclusive and he will now travel to London straight after the Test match to seek specialist advice.

Only after advice from the specialist will the selectors decide whether to call a replacement for the triangular series starting 27 June at Trent Bridge.