Sri Lanka to replace injured cricketer Pradeep

Sri Lanka's fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out of the ongoing tour of South Africa after tearing his right hamstring, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Monday.

Pradeep, 25, suffered the injury while bowling during the warm-up game against the South Africa Invitation XI in Benoni on Saturday.

"Physio Stephen Mount is of the view that Nuwan will be unable to play for another three to four weeks," the governing body said in a statement. "The team management has requested for a replacement player."

The selectors have yet to name his replacement.

Meanwhile, former skipper and frontline batsman Kumar Sangakkara is expected to be fit for the first Test starting in Centurion on Thursday, the statement added.

The left-hander suffered a tear in his right hand 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 are due to play three Tests and five one-day internationals during the tour which ends on January 22.

Sri Lanka 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.

Since then they have played 14 Tests, lost four and drawn 10.