England pace trio hit by injuries

CRICKET: England pacemen Steve Harmison, James Anderson and Simon Jones look certain to miss the first test against Sri Lanka at Lord's starting next week because of injuries.

With captain Michael Vaughan and spinner Ashley Giles still recovering from long-term fitness problems, England will go into the three-test series without half of its full-strength lineup.

Lancashire paceman Anderson was the latest injury blow on Tuesday when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his lower back.

Harmison missed the tied test series against India because of a stress fracture of his shinbone and Jones, who has been struggling to recover from a knee injury, limped out of Glamorgan's county one-day game on Monday.

The injuries to the three pacemen have given chances to Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett. Another alternative, Chris Tremlett, is sidelined with an ankle problem.

Mahmood was due to play for England A against the Sri Lankans at Worcester starting Thursday, but has been withdrawn from the game to prepare for possible test duty.

"Following the injuries to Simon Jones and James Anderson, the selectors have decided to withdraw Sajid Mahmood from the Sri Lanka tour match for tactical reasons as he is in contention to play in next week's first test," chairman of selectors David Graveney said.

"Liam Plunkett is also under consideration for the first test, but he will play for England A as Durham do not have a four-day game this week and this will provide him with further match practice."

LONDON, Tuesday (AP)