Monday 26 May 2014 16:20, UK
Sri Lanka have changed track with their replacement for injured seamer Suranga Lakmal, calling up spinner Rangana Herath for the rest of the one-day series against England.
The tourists, who levelled the series 1-1 at Chester-le-Street on Sunday, had originally announced Shaminda Eranga as a like-for-like replacement for Lakmal after he was ruled out for the rest of the series with a torn hamstring.
But after off-break bowler Sachithra Senanayake bagged four wickets in an 157-run victory, and in anticipation of yet more favourable conditions for spinners, the Sri Lankans have called up a third to their tour party.
A statement released on Monday confirmed: “At a selection committee meeting it has been decided by the national selectors to send Rangana Herath for the Sri Lanka tour of England series, in place of Suranga Lakmal who is injured.
“Suranga will return to Sri Lanka and Rangana will join the squad.”
Herath, 36, is a seasoned international with 51 wickets in 52 one-day games. He is also pencilled in for the Test series alongside Ajantha Mendis and Tillakaratne Dilshan and has 200 Test wickets to his name.
England won the opening game by 81 runs at the Oval but they were embarrassed in Durham, skittled for 99 after allowing Sri Lanka to post 256-8 from their 50 overs.
England and Sri Lanka contest the third ODI at Old Trafford on Wednesday, which is live on Sky Sports 2HD from 1.30pm.
