England's tour itinerary changed to minimise injury risk

The Board of Cricket Control for Sri Lanka and the England and Wales Cricket Board today announced a change to England's tour itinerary in Sri Lanka.

England's three-day match versus the BCCSL Colts XI at Kurunegala due to start this Thursday, March 1st, will be replaced by a one-day, 50-overs-a-side game at the same venue on Saturday, March 3rd.

England head coach Duncan Fletcher said: "We regret that we have had to ask the BCCSL to agree to this request as the three non-international matches we have played against local opposition on the tour to date have provided excellent practice for the team. We are grateful to the Sri Lankan Board for their co-operation in this matter.

"A number of players aggravated back complaints as a result of the daily two-hour round trip to Matra for the last four-day game. With this in mind, and the prospect of a three-hour round trip to Kurunegala for the three-day match, we wanted to minimise the risk of further injury to players.

"Our thinking was also influenced by the need to rest players ahead of back-to-back Test Matches and a three-match ODI series and a concern that our current injury list would not have allowed us to field a genuinely competitive XI for a three-day game."

England physiotherapist Dean Conway said: "Five players are currently carrying injuries - Atherton (back), Giles (Achilles), Hussain (back), Hick (calf) and Stewart (elbow). They will continue to receive treatment during the course of next week and we expect that with rest all five will be available for selection for the Second Test Match."