Sri Lanka call up Maharoof as standby

Sri Lanka on Tuesday called up all-rounder Farveez Maharoof as a possible replacement for injured paceman Dilhara Fernando ahead of their first Test against England.

"Dilhara's got a nagging knee injury, and the team has taken precautionary measures (by calling up Maharoof)," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Brian Thomas told AFP.

Sri Lanka begin the first of three Tests against England in Cardiff on Thursday.

Fernando, 31, has been tasked with spearheading Sri Lanka's attack in the absence of retired bowlers Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan.

On Sunday, Fernando grabbed three wickets in six balls to help the visitors to a warm-up win over England Lions in Derby.

Maharoof, 26, who has himself been hit by a series of injuries, was a member of Sri Lanka's Test team that played against Australia in Hobart in 2007.

The all-rounder is currently in good form, playing county games for English side Lancashire.

Maharoof was included in Sri Lanka's first warm-up game in England when the team arrived without several senior players who were away playing in the Indian Premier League tournament.

Sri Lanka play a five-match one-day series and a Twenty20 match during the summer tour of England in addition to the Tests.