Dilshan named Sri Lanka captain ahead of English tour

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sri Lanka have confirmed that Tillakaratne Dilshan will be their new captain in all formats of the game. The 34-year-old succeeds Kumar Sangakkara, who stood down after Sri Lanka finished runners-up at the World Cup earlier this month, and his first duty will be to lead the side on their tour of England starting next month.

All-rounder Dilshan has featured in 66 Tests, averaging 42.44 runs including 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen expects to be fit for the first Test but admits he has enjoyed having an extended period away from the game, after flying home early from the World Cup with a hernia problem. "I'm not raring to go right now, not at all. I'm enjoying this break," he said. "I've not had a break like this for seven years."