Muttiah Muralitharan is unlikely to be fit for the second Test against England at Edgbaston which starts on May 30, according to Kushil Gunasekera, the interim secretary of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLCB). Muralitharan is in Melbourne, recovering from an operation to repair torn ligaments in his right shoulder, an injury he sustained in Sharjah last month. It had been hoped that he would be available for the second and third Tests against England, but that now seems unlikely.

"He is very determined, but it's unlikely he will play in the second Test," Gunasekera told Reuters. SLCB chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya added that Muralitharan's shoulder was in a brace supported by pulleys.

Doctors will examine Muralitharan on Monday (May 13) at which time a decision will be made whether the brace can be removed. If it is, he will rejoin the touring party as soon as possible, but he would need at least a fortnight of intensive treatment to get back to match fitness. The third Test, starting on June 13, might just give him enough time to recover.

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