Cricket World Cup: Rangana Herath doubtful for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath remains a doubt for Wednesday's World Cup quarter-final against South Africa in Sydney.

Herath needed four stitches in the spinning finger of his left hand after he tried to stop a powerful drive from Jos Buttler during Sri Lanka's nine-wicket win over England in Wellington on March 1 and has not played since.

The 36-year-old’s left-arm spin would be a useful addition to Sri Lanka's attack on a Sydney Cricket Ground pitch taking turn.

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But captain Angelo Mathews, speaking before practice at the SCG on Tuesday, said of Herath: "He's still 50-50. He hasn't had a bowl yet. The physio has to have a look at him once again today.

"If he bowls at practice today he'll be in contention for selection. If not, he won't be playing."

Herath's chances of featuring against South Africa appeared slim after he managed just five balls in the nets on Tuesday before consulting the physio.

If Herath is ruled out, Sri Lanka have slow bowling alternatives in the off-spin of batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, leg-break bowler Seekkuge Prasanna and off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake.

Whoever bowls will have to deal with the threat of AB de Villiers, who smashed a 66-ball 162 at the SCG in the group stage, but Mathews has a plan for his opposite number.

"We all know he's a destructive player," said Mathews. "When he gets going, it's really hard to stop him. So we'll look to attack him early on."

South Africa are yet to win a World Cup knockout tie, but Mathews said: "The history, it's history. You can't really take anything from it. We all know South Africa are a very hard team to beat."

Watch Sri Lanka v South Africa live on Sky Sports World Cup at 3am on Wednesday.