Silva to miss World Cup opener due to family death

Sri Lanka batsman Chamara Silva has opted out of the co-host's World Cup opener against Canada on Sunday after the death of his sister, a team official said Friday.

Silva, a key middle-order batsman, left the rest of the squad on Thursday after he received news of the death of his elder sister Nelum Anusha Silva.

Sri Lanka media manager Brian Thomas said the batsman will not be available for its Group A match against Canada in the southern Hambantota district but will join the squad on Tuesday to prepare for the second match against Pakistan on Feb. 26.

The rest of the Sri Lankan squad was scehduled to fly to Hambantota on Friday.

Sri Lanka team manager Anura Tennakoon has also left the squad following the death of his father.