Kusal Perera: Sri Lanka player fails drugs test and is sent home

Kusal Perera has mainly played limited-overs cricket for Sri Lanka, including 51 one-day internationals

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has tested positive for a banned substance and has been sent home from their tour of New Zealand.

A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said Perera failed a random test during the recent tour of Pakistan.

The 25-year-old, who will be replaced by Kaushal Silva in New Zealand, played five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches during the tour.

SLC says it will test his B sample in line with anti-doping regulations.

The governing body added it would "make every endeavour" to enable Perera to resume his career "at the earliest opportunity in compliance with the ICC regulations".

Silva, 29, joins the squad for two Tests, five one-day internationals and two T20 matches in New Zealand from December 10 to January 10.

Analysis - BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana

"If his B sample proves positive, Kusal Perera faces up to four years' suspension, according to Channaka de Silva, sports editor of Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror newspaper.

"De Silva added that it is highly unlikely that the B sample would prove negative: 'We have never heard such a case before,' he said."