Mathews suffered a strain to his right calf muscle while batting in the fourth one-day international at Dambulla and took no further part in the match which Sri Lanka lost by six wickets to concede a winning 3-1 lead to Australia.

Mathews returned to Colombo for further treatment. “Mathews underwent an MRI scan test today and it has been revealed that he has a Grade 2 calf strain on his right leg,” said Sri Lanka team manager Charith Senanayake.

“Mathews will undergo treatment and he has been ruled out of the rest of the series,” he said.

Australia has three more matches left to play on their two-month long tour of Sri Lanka. The fifth and final ODI takes place at Pallekele Stadium on September 4 and it will be followed by two Twenty20 Internationals on September 6 at Pallekele and on September 9 at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal who substituted for Mathews as captain in the fourth ODI is likely to take over the reins for the remaining matches.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka have included fast bowling all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to replace Thisara Perera in the 16-man squad and also brought in two left-hand batsmen – experienced opener Upul Tharanga and wicket-keeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella as replacements for Mathews and spinner Lakshan Sandakan.

Throughout the series Sri Lanka had problems with their opening batsmen.

They have tried out three different opening combinations in the first four games without success.

The inclusion of seasoned batter Tharanga and Dickwella who opened the batting for Sri Lanka ‘A’ on their recent tour to England suggests that Sri Lanka will try out their fourth opening combination at Pallekele on Sunday.

Whether Tharanga will be asked to open the batting is questionable. He has not opened in the last 10 ODIs in which he has batted and has 53 not out and 40 as his best knocks in those matches but those runs were scored batting at number seven. To recall Tharanga is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire for he has hardly done himself or the team any justice by his random inclusions in the team. To recall Tharanga is to admit that the country is devoid of specialist openers. The majority of Sri Lanka’s opening problems have been caused by fast

bowler Mitchell Starc who has managed to get early breakthroughs and put the middle order under pressure.

Sri Lanka will be able to heave a sigh of relief as it is learnt that Australia plan to rest Starc and his new ball partner Josh Hazlewood for the fifth ODI.

The squad will travel to Kandy today to continue training at a higher altitude ahead of the tour and will engage in training sessions. It will be followed by a two-day game at the Pallakelle International Cricket Stadium on Saturday and Sunday (April 23 and 24) whilst training sessions will be conducted concurrently at the nets.

Despite the rains in Colombo and suburbs, the weather in Kandy has remained favourable in the past weeks, and if long range weather reports are anything to go by, will remain so for the next few days giving the squad an ample opportunity to train.

Meanwhile, selection of the Test squad travelling to England is due to be finalized by April 27.

Sri Lanka will play a series of three Tests against England before moving on to the one-day format where they will take on England in five One-Day Internationals and in two Twenty20 Internationals.

The Test series starts at Headingley, Leeds on May 19 followed by the second Test at Durham from May 27 and the third and final Test at Lord’s from June 9.

The Test squad is due to arrive in England on May 4.

Angelo Mathews has been named captain and Dinesh Chandimal his deputy for all three formats of the game.

The preliminary squad selected consists of the following players:

Angelo Mathews (captain), Dasun Chanaka, Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Dhammika Prasad, Dhananjaya de Silva,. Dilruwan Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kasun Rajitha, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Tharanga Paranavitana, Vishwa Fernando.

Dual role for Chandrishan Perera

Sri Lanka Cricket has approached its former media manager Chandrishan Perera to take on the role of communications manager on tour for next month’s cricket tour of England.

SLC is in the process of putting into place the support staff for the team which is currently in transition and according to sources a communications manager has been considered a necessity especially when the team is on tour.

Recently SLC recalled former team manager Charith Senanayake as manager for the tour to England and for the home series against Australia.

There is also a possibility that Perera who is renowned for his high skill training may also be asked to assist with the team’s training during the tour.

Perera a top class ruggerite turned out for CH&FC and Sri Lanka and also played cricket for CCC. He is also a qualified fitness trainer and respected rugby commentator and columnist.