Sri Lanka suffered a major blow as their front-line pacer Dhammika Prasad was ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured hand at training on Saturday. The injury will keep the Sri Lankan pacer on the sidelines for at least four weeks and Sri Lanka would have to name a replacement with the world cup just days away.

Sri Lanka are due to play their first warm up tie against Zimbabwe tomorrow (9) and will play their first World Cup game on the inaugural day on February 14 against New Zealand.

"Dhammika Prasad was hit on the outside of the left hand when attempting a return catch while bowling," Sri Lanka Cricket official release said. "The x-ray showed a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone. The fracture has been realigned and put in a cast. Dhammika will not be available for the upcoming World Cup."

Prasad was struck in the hand by a ball hit by Thisara Perera during practice.

Although, Sri Lanka have Shaminda Eranga and Dushmantha Chameera on stand-by, the final decision on who will replace Prasad will be taken after Sanath Jayasuriya, the chief selector, joins the team in New Zealand.