Silva to miss World Cup opener due to family death

Colombo, Feb 18 (AP) Sri Lanka batsman Chamara Silva hasopted out of the co-host''s World Cup opener against Canada onSunday after the death of his sister, a team official saidtoday.

Silva, a key middle-order batsman, left the rest of thesquad yesterday after he received news of the death of hiselder sister Nelum Anusha Silva.

Sri Lanka media manager Brian Thomas said the batsmanwill not be available for its Group A match against Canada inthe southern Hambantota district but will join the squad onTuesday to prepare for the second match against Pakistan onFebruary 26.

The rest of the Sri Lankan squad is scheduled to fly toHambantota today.

Sri Lanka team manager Anura Tennakoon has also left thesquad following the death of his father. (AP) SNK