Sri Lanka wait on Jayasuriya injury

Sri Lanka are hopeful that Sanath Jayasuriya will recover in time for their opening second-round match in the Asia Cup on Wednesday after aggravating a side injury and pulling out of their clash against India on Sunday.

Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's most experienced one-day player and their highest run-scorer, first injured his left side during the first Test against Australia at Darwin earlier in the month. The management had hoped his batting would be unhindered.

"Sanath [Jayasuriya] suffered the side strain in Darwin Test where he bowled 30 overs," Ajit Jayasekera, the team manager, told reporters on Sunday afternoon. "In Cairns [the second Test] it became sore.

"He discovered the full extent of the injury while batting yesterday and was feeling uncomfortable when he played his square-cut. He now needs some rest but we feel he should be fit enough for Wednesday."

If Sri Lanka lose against India then they will face Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club, a low-key game that Jayasuriya could sit out to give the injury more time to heal.