Herath to miss Test series in New Zealand

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath will miss his country's first Test on their tour of New Zealand, which starts on 26 December in Christchurch.

Herath suffered a tear to his hamstring before the fifth ODI of the recently completed home series against England. The left-armer missed the final two ODI's in that series, and it was hoped that he would have recovered in time for the first Test against the Black Caps.

While Herath is definitely out the opening game, he is also fighting to be fit for the second, and final, Test in Wellington on 3rd January.

Team Manager, Michael de Zoysa said: "I think Rangana's struggling to make the second Test as well."

Sri Lanka will certainly miss Herath, as he is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2014 with 60 scalps at an average of 27.45.

The tourists do have spin-bowling options in the squad. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera, who has played seven previous Tests, and the uncapped 21-year-old Tharindu Kaushal will be vying to take Herath's place in the starting line-up.

Sri Lanka start their tour with a two-day warm-up game against a New Zealand Invitational XI starting 21 December. The two-match Test series will be followed by seven ODI's.