Kaushal Silva given 'clean bill of health' after blow to head

Kaushal Silva has been discharged from hospital with a "clean bill of health" after he had suffered mild concussion resulting from the blow he sustained to his head on Sunday. Silva had been airlifted to a Colombo hospital as a precautionary measure, but scans have since cleared him of long-term injury. The Sri Lanka team management said he would be available for selection for the forthcoming Test series in England.

"Kaushal was released this morning and given a clean bill of health," team manager Charith Senanayake said. "The report indicates no major trauma."

A board release said Silva had been "completely cleared to resume physical activity" by specialists, but that he will nevertheless "be completely rested for two days" before gradually "restarting training with mild gym and ground activity". He is expected to resume batting in the nets next week.

Silva said: "I want to thank SLC, Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya for getting me treated and helping get me to this stage. I also want to thank all the people who wished me well from around the world. I will rest for a couple of days, but am really looking forward to getting back onto the field and playing well."

Silva had been fielding at short leg in a practice match in Pallekele when he was struck by a powerful sweep from Dinesh Chandimal. Silva had ducked and turned his head, but was hit below the back rim of the helmet, in the padded rear attachment that has come into use following the death of Phillip Hughes. Team-mates said they believed he might have suffered a more substantial injury if he had been using a helmet without that added protection.

Silva had hit a hundred in that practice match and stands a chance of being named in the squad to England. The squad announcement is scheduled for Wednesday. The team is set to leave for England on May 4.