Lower back strain ends Lahiru Thirimanne's England tour

Sri Lankan middle order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has been ruled out of the ongoing Natwest ODIs series. He was forced to return home from the due to lower back strain. Niroshan Dickwella has been named as a replacement for the left-hand batsman, who featured in all the Tests.

Dickwella, who was with the A squad in UK, was easily available to join the squad immediately. He had been in Sri Lanka’s Test squad but did not play a game. He has played one ODI – in India in 2014 – four Tests and three T20 internationals.

The Sri Lankan side is currently as a few important names healing injuries according to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. The official statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) also stated Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal were nursing hamstring niggles, but were included in the third ODI against England in Bristol. It also mentioned that Farveez Maharoof has an injury to his left hand but was picked.

The visitors are currently 1-0 behind in the 5 match series after a tie in the opening game and losing the following ODI by a huge margin. Blazing centuries from Jason Roy and Alex Hales powered England to an overwhelming victory in the 2nd ODI. It was a complete drubbing. The Lankans looked prepared for the challenge but were completely stunned by the opposition.

The Lankans were put into bat under slightly overcast condition by the hosts who won the toss and chose to bowl first in the 3rd ODI which is currently underway at the County Ground, Bristol.