Sri Lanka's preparations marred by injuries to Vaas and Muralitharan

Sri Lanka's preparations for the final test match against South Africa have been overshadowed by fitness doubts over their best two bowlers. Chaminda Vaas is almost certain to not play in the third Test match, which starts on Saturday, and Muttiah Muralitharan is struggling to be fit in time.

According to Ajit Jayasekera, the Sri Lanka manager, Muralitharan has a 50/50 chance of being fit in time for the crucial encounter. He is suffering from a groin injury that he sustained in Sri Lanka's first international victory of the tour on Wednesday night.

Chaminda Vaas, was forced to abandon his sixth over on Wednesday night with a groin strain. His condition is said to be more serious and doubt has even been cast upon his fitness for the New Zealand tour.

Jayasekera remained upbeat about the prospects of his premier bowlers, pointing out that the pair were in the capable hands of Alex Kontouri, the team physio.

However, the loss Muralitharan and Vaas would be real blow to a side that still has a chance of leveling the series. Both bowlers have been in excellent form recently and without their services the Sri Lankan bowling attack would be severely weakened.