Players will be allowed to arrive late for tour of England

Sri Lanka has performed a u-turn and will not ask players to return home early from the Indian Premier League to prepare for their tour of England. After talks between the Sri Lankan and Indian boards, the seven members of Sri Lanka’s Test squad currently participating in the IPL will now only have to make themselves available for the second warm-up match of the tour on May 19-22 against England Lions at Derby – as was the original plan.

Earlier, authorities had asked the players to return home by May 5, arguing the national team takes precedence over lucrative IPL contracts. The tour opener in England begins on May 14, and the first of three Tests starts on May 26 in Cardiff.

Captain Tilakaratne Dilshan, experienced batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and spinner Suraj Randiv are among those playing in the IPL.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga will not take part in the Test series in England, citing an injury, but officials questioned his claim and will ask him to return home immediately from the IPL for a rehabilitation program.