Kyle Jarvis bowled 37 overs in the first Test but failed to pick a wicket © AFP

In what comes as a setback for Zimbabwe ahead of their second Test against Sri Lanka, pacer Kyle Jarvis has been ruled out due to a lower back injury he sustained during the first match. An MRI scan revealed that Jarvis had suffered a disc bulge, which hampered his "back movements due to lower back pain, muscle spasms and stiffness".

According to a media release from Zimbabwe Cricket on Sunday (January 26), a specialist doctor has advised Jarvis "rest while taking anti-inflammation medication and he will start physiotherapy as soon as the pain has subsided".

Jarvis bowled 37 overs in the first innings against Sri Lanka, conceding 84 runs without picking up a wicket. He didn't bowl in the second innings, with Sri Lanka needing only 14 which they chased down in three overs. In Jarvis's absence, Carl Mumba or the uncapped Charlton Tshuma could be slotted into the playing eleven. The selectors, meanwhile, have included leg-spinning all-rounder Tinotenda Mutombodzi in the squad.

"Apart from Jarvis missing the game due to injury, we are likely to stick with the same team, giving the middle order another chance," convenor of selectors David Mutendera said. "The only addition to the squad is Mutombodzi, a good bowler whose batting ability will also be a massive boost for us."

Meanwhile, in what was a positive for Zimbabwe, opening batsman Kevin Kasuza returned to active training having suffered a mild concussion during the first Test, and is expected to feature in the playing eleven. The batsman, who was fielding at short-leg, was struck on the side of his helmet just before the lunch break on Day 3 of the Test.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Harare by 10 wickets. The second Test, which will also be held at the same venue, gets underway from January 27.

Squad: Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Prince Masvaure, Brian Mudzinganyama, Carl Mumba, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma