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Mathews doubt for England Tests

Image: Angelo Mathews: Struggling to shake off calf problem

Angelo Mathews is struggling to be fit for the Test series against England due to a calf injury that has ruled him out of the Asia Cup.

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All-rounder returns home from Asia Cup due to calf injury

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews is a doubt for the Test series against England due to a calf injury. The problem has resulted in Mathews being sent home from the Asia Cup tournament in Bangladesh. With paceman Thisara Perera also currently sidelined with a back injury, Mathews adds to the hosts' concerns ahead of the first of two Tests, which gets under way on March 26. Mathews, a key player for Sri Lanka in all formats, previously struggled with the problem and missed the finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia as a result. Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene told Cricinfo: "(Over) the last couple of days Angelo has had some fitness tests, he hasn't pulled through those well, so we made a call to send him back home. "He will try to get ready for the Test matches that start in about 10 days' time. The selectors back home will decide and send a replacement for us." Team manager Charith Senanayake said Mathews would be replaced by seam-bowling all-rounder Shaminda Eranga in Sri Lanka's Asia Cup squad.

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