All-rounder Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs fixtures against New Zealand in January 2019.

Mathews sustained a severe hamstring injury during the recent second Test against the same opposition at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Angelo had a scan, and it’s a grade two hamstring strain,’ said captain Dinesh Chandimal. ‘The physiotherapist said he’s out for four weeks.’

New Zealand won the two-match Test series one-nil, during which Mathews was second only to the hosts’ Tom Latham in the run-scoring ranks.

‘Tom’s been outstanding in this series in particular. The way he was able to maintain his focus in terms of playing each ball on its merit for as long as he can and not get ahead of himself, or thinking that he’s in, or he’s done enough, was great,’ said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

The Black Caps meet the Sri Lankans for three ODIs and one T20I from 3 to 11 January.

The injury will almost certainly sideline Mathews from Sri Lanka’s late January tour of Australia for two Tests, too.

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