Muralitharan in Sri Lanka squad for England series

COLOMBO, Sep 18 (Reuters) Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been included in a 15-man squad for a five-match one-day series against England starting in October.

The 35-year-old spinner is sitting out the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa after suffering a muscle tendon tear in his right bicep and may not be available from the start of England's tour.

''His injury is healing quickly and we'll be having another scan next week, but I would advise against him rushing back,'' Muralitharan's surgeon Dr. David Young told local media.

Uncapped all rounder Dilruwan Perera has been included in the squad and may cover for Muralitharan should he delay his comeback until the end of the series or Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in November.

Sri Lanka have kept faith with the same squad currently in South Africa, with the exception of dropping all rounder Hasantha Fernando to make room for Muralitharan.

The five-match series starts in Dambulla on Oct. 1.

Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jehan Mubarak, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Muttiah Muralitharan, Gayan Wijekoon, Dilruwan Perera REUTERS BJR VC1536