Sri Lanka headed home from their five-game New Zealand tour without completing the clean sweep they were aiming for but also with a worry over the fitness of key bowler, off spinner Mutiah Muralitharan.

The little spin ace will be a key man in Sri Lanka's series against England but with a groin problem that occurred just before he bowled his tenth over in today's loss to New Zealand, he could be in doubt for at least the start of the series.

Muralitharan left the field immediately after suffering the injury, which occurred when he tried to field a ball with his feet. He returned soon after to bowl his last over off only two paces and then left the field until coming out to bat with a runner as Sri Lanka attempted to score 15 runs off the last over.

The Sri Lankan team and management left the ground immediately after the game and were not available for comment.

Sri Lanka's first Test against England starts on February 22.

© CricInfo