Champions Trophy 2017: Sri Lanka captain Mathews likely to miss first match against South Africa

Photo: AFP

Colombo: A calf injury might force Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews to sit out of their first Champions Trophy group match on Saturday against South Africa.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said Mathews was "most likely to sit out" the 50-over match against South Africa at the Oval, in south London.

Mathews’ absence will be a severe blow to an already short of experience Sri Lankan side. Vice-captain Upul Tharanga will stand in as captain if Mathews fails to take the field.

Mathews rejoined the team after a five-month layoff due to a hamstring injury that forced him to return home halfway through the tour of South Africa in January.

The board said Mathews, who turns 30 tomorrow, had complained of stiffness and pain. A medical examination revealed a strain on the muscle.

"Mathews will engage in supervised recovery over the next few days but will most likely sit out the first group stage match against South Africa," SLC said in a statement today.

He had been declared fit for the 50-over showpiece event after a week-long high intensity training camp in central Sri Lanka.

Mathews, who last played an ODI in the home series loss to Australia in August 2016, was upbeat when the Sri Lankan squad left for London two weeks ago to prepare for the tournament.

But he warned: "We don't have time for hiccups in a tournament like this."

Sri Lanka are in Group B with India, Pakistan and South Africa.