SRI Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan faces two months out after his Melbourne-based surgeon recommended another operation on his shoulder to avoid long-term tendon damage.

Muralitharan had an operation on the same joint to drain a cyst last August, but the specialist has identified a torn muscle tendon which needs surgery to prevent a longer lay-off.

The 32-year-old, hoping to play for Lancashire this summer, struggled with shoulder problems throughout last year and is now a serious doubt for Sri Lanka's re-scheduled tour of New Zealand in April.

Mohan de Silva, president of Sri Lanka Cricket, said: "The timing hasn't been good. I believe all of us, the country and the team, were looking forward to Muralitharan returning to the fold and to the side in New Zealand.

"But for Muralitharan's own future, I believe it is very important that these injuries are attended to as early as possible because he has so many good years of cricket left - and we need to do everything possible to help him get the best yield out of the remaining years." Tweet