England to make last-minute call on Cook

England continued to wait on the fitness of captain Alastair Cook less than four hours before the start of Wednesday's crucial third ODI against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

England continued to wait on the fitness of captain Alastair Cook less than four hours before the start of Wednesday's crucial third ODI against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

A groin injury ruled Cook out of the second fixture in Chester-le-Street in Durham, where the English slumped to a poor 157-run defeat.

The uncapped Alex Hales has been added to the squad as injury cover, while the left-handed Michael Carberry replaced Cook at the top of the order at the Riverside Ground on Sunday.

"We'll see how Alastair is in the morning. He's practised, so fingers crossed he will be okay," said team-mate James Anderson.

Seamers Chris Jordan and Harry Gurney have proven relatively expensive across the opening fixtures of the five-match series, suggesting all-rounders Tim Bresnan and Chris Woakes will be drafted into the XI.

The Sri Lankans, meanwhile, have been afforded the services of spinner Rangana Herath.

Herath has replaced seamer Suranga Lakmal, who sustained a hamstring injury last week.

Fast bowler Shaminda Eranga had originally been announced as the substitute, but a press release revealed the change.

"At a selection committee meeting, it has been decided by the national selectors to send Rangana for the Sri Lanka tour of England series, in place of Suranga, who is injured. Suranga will return to Sri Lanka, and Rangana will join the squad," read a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket.

Lord's in London and Edgbaston in Birmingham will host fixtures four and five on 31 May and 3 June respectively. Two Tests will follow.

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