Sri Lanka suffer Pradeep blow

Sri Lanka pace bowler Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out of the tour of South Africa after tearing his right hamstring.

Tourists face seam bowling headache after latest injury setback

Sri Lanka pace bowler Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out of the tour of South Africa after tearing his right hamstring. Pradeep, 25, suffered the injury while bowling during the warm-up game against the South Africa Invitation XI in Benoni on Saturday. A team statement read: "Physio Stephen Mount is of the view that Nuwan will be unable to play for another three to four weeks. The team management has requested for a replacement player." Meanwhile former skipper Kumar Sangakkara is expected to be fit for the first Test starting in Centurion on Thursday. The left-hander suffered a hand injury while fielding in the same match. "Doctors feel the injury will heal, enabling him to play in the first Test," the cricket board said. Sri Lanka, who also have seamers Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Kulasekara sidelined, are due to play three Tests and five one-day internationals during the tour which ends on January 22. The tourists are looking for their first Test win since defeating India in world bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan's last Test in Galle in July 2010.