England batsman Rory Burns has been ruled out for four months, meaning he will miss the Test tour of Sri Lanka in March.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery on his left ankle on Monday after he ruptured ligaments while playing football on the eve of the second Test against South Africa last week.
The Surrey captain is hoping to make his comeback for the start of the 2020 County Championship season in April.
Burns’ injury has spelled the end of football as the England team’s preferred warm-up activity, with head coach Chris Silverwood and director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles jointly deciding the risks outweighed the benefits.
An ECB statement read: “England opening batsman Rory Burns has undergone successful surgery on ruptured ligaments in his left ankle. The Surrey captain is expected to be out of action for up to four months.
“He will miss England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka in March and is aiming to return to play with Surrey in the County Championship at the beginning of the 2020 season in April.”
England have yet to call up a replacement for Burns for the rest of the four-Test series against South Africa.
They are currently bidding to level the series, after their 107-run defeat in the opening Test.
The tourists need eight wickets for victory on the final day of the second Test in Cape Town on Tuesday, with the hosts chasing a Test record 438 to win.
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