Sri Lanka's Perera Sent Home After Failing Drugs Test

Wellington: Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has been sent home from their tour of New Zealand after failing a drugs test, local media, citing a Sri Lanka Cricket statement, said on Tuesday.

Perera, 25, failed the test, administered by the International Cricket Council, during the series against Pakistan in late July, Fairfax Media reported.

The Sri Lanka team were not immediately available for comment.

Perera, who played in the tour opener against a New Zealand Board President's XI last week, has been replaced by Kaushal Silva for the test series starting in Dunedin on Thursday.

Sri Lanka Cricket said in the statement that a further 'B' sample would be tested, and it planned to "make every endeavour" to get Perera back on the field as soon as possible.

Pace bowler Dhammika Prasad has also been sent home from the tour after suffering a back injury and has been replaced by Vishva Fernando.

The two-Test series will be followed by five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

Munro, Guptill's Record Fifties to Thump SL [+]

Martin Guptill hammered the fastest fifty for New Zealand, which was broken just 20 mins later by Colin Munro help New Zealand hammer Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in 2nd T20I.

Guptill, Boult sets up Thrilling Kiwi Win [+]

In-form batsman Martin Guptill cracked 58 off 34 balls to set up New Zealand for a tense three-run win in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Guptill, Henry Leads New Zealand Series Win [+]

Martin Guptill struck another century and Matt Henry picked up five wickets, as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 36 runs in fifth ODI in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.

Guptill Leads Record-breaking Successful Chase [+]

Martin Guptill smashing an unbeaten 93 off 30 balls to help New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the second ODI at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday.

Henry Four-for hand Sri Lanka Drubbing [+]

Brendon McCullum's love affair with Hagley Oval continued, along with Martin Guptill's dream year, as New Zealand trounced Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first ODI on Saturday.

McCullum Announces International Retirement [+]

Under Brendon McCullum, New Zealand is unbeaten in tests at home since 2013 - a run of 13 matches - and reached the final of this year's one-day World Cup.

Williamson Becomes No.1 Test Batsman [+]

New Zealand phenomenon Kane Williamson shot to the top of the Test batting rankings Monday following his match-winning century against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand Claim ANZ Series against Sri Lanka [+]

Kane Williamson scores his 13th Test century as the New Zealand win second Test by five wickets and claim series by 2-0 against Sri Lanka in Hamilton on Monday.

New Zealand Close in on 2-0 cleansweep After Sri Lanka Collapse [+]

A hobbling Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to 142 for five at the close of play on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton, with the hosts needing another 47 runs to seal a 2-0 series sweep.

Chameera's Five Sent New Zealand on Backfoot [+]

Dushmantha Chameera takes five wickets as New Zealand finish at 232-9, trail Sri Lanka by 60 runs at stumps of second day of 2nd Test at Hamilton on Saturday.