Colombo: Sri Lanka batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was on Thursday ruled out of the remainder of the cricket World Cup after suffering an injury to his little finger during the team's practice session ahead of Sunday's crucial tie against Australia.
An x-ray on the injured finger revealed a fracture, which has put an end to the left handed opener's hopes of featuring in the tournament any further.
Karunaratne would unfortunately be returning home. He is to be replaced by Seekkuge Prasanna, who is already in Australia as cover for the injured Rangana Herath.
The left-arm spinner Herath, if unable to continue, would be replaced by the opening batsman Kusal Janith Perera, Sri Lanka Cricket announced today.
Perera, an explosive opening batsman, was dropped from the World Cup squad owing to his poor form.
Karunaratne, who fared well in the Test series against New Zealand leading to the World Cup, was dropped down the order leaving the regular opener Tillakaratne Dilshan to open with Lahiru Thirimanne.
