Mathews 'unlikely' for CT opener

Sri Lanka have been dealt a major blow on the eve of the Champions Trophy after announcing captain Angelo Mathews isn’t likely to be fit for the team's tournament-opener against South Africa on Saturday.

Sri Lanka Cricket on Thursday said a calf injury will “most likely” rule Mathews out of their first match against the Proteas at The Oval.

A nagging hamstring problem has kept Mathews out of international cricket since January, but the allrounder had been declared fit ahead of the team's departure for the United Kingdom.

"Mathews ... had complained of stiffness and pain, prompting the team management to conduct radiographic investigations which revealed a strain on the muscle," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

"Mathews will engage in supervised recovery over the next few days but will most likely sit out the first group-stage match against South Africa.".

Quick Single: 'Underdogs' Sri Lanka turn to Malinga

Upul Tharanga is likely to lead the team in Mathews' absence.

Mathews made 95 in last week's warm-up match against Australia but skipped their second practice game against New Zealand.

The right-hander, who turns 30 on Friday, has suffered numerous injury setbacks in recent times and missed Sri Lanka’s three-match T20 International series against Australia in February. 

He also played just three games for Delhi Daredevils in this year’s Indian Premier League, missing the early part of the lucrative tournament with his hamstring injury.

Mathews also hasn’t played an ODI since Sri Lanka’s home series loss to Australia in August last year.

Largely unfancied by pundits, Sri Lanka have been drawn in group B alongside India, Pakistan and South Africa.

"We will definitely improve day by day and I am sure the boys are up to the challenge," Mathews said ahead of the tournament. 

"We don't have time for hiccups in a tournament like this."

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Other squads: Every Champions Trophy squad

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

Schedule

Warm-up matches

26 May – Australia d Sri Lanka by two wickets, The Oval

27 May – Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by two wickets, Edgbaston

28 May – India d New Zealand by 45 runs (D/L Method), The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan no result, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand d Sri Lanka by six wickets, Edgbaston

30 May – India d Bangladesh by 240 runs, The Oval

Tournament

1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)