(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Angelo Mathews will miss the limited-overs leg against New Zealand and the first Test against Australia in Brisbane after sustaining a grade two strain in his left hamstring.
The 31-year-old was forced to retire hurt on the fourth day of the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Christchurch, and now stands ruled out for four weeks.
With his depreciating fitness level and lack of match practice, Mathews may even find himself struggling to get match-fit for the second Test against Australia in Canberra, which starts on February 1.
The veteran batsman’s injury upsets Sri Lanka’s preparations going into the World Cup. He was earlier dropped from Sri Lanka’s limited-overs squad but was picked for the three ODIs and lone T20I against New Zealand under the leadership of Lasith Malinga.
