West Indies batsman Brian Lara was airlifted to hospital after dislocating his left elbow while batting against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Lara was on 24 in the triangular one-day international when he collided with fielder Marvan Atapattu at the non-striker's end.

The master batsman was running for a quick single in the 11th over of the innings when the accident happened.

It left him writhing in pain clutching his left hand before he was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to a Kandy hospital.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board media manager Niresh Eliyathamby said that Lara was being airlifted by helicopter to Colombo for further treatment.

West Indies were 60 for one at that stage after being asked to bat first.

Lara had only recently returned after a long spell out through injury.

He is not the first player to suffer serious injury in a collision on the field.

Australian captain Steve Waugh broke his nose and fast bowler Jason Gillespie broke his leg in a collision with each other in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the same venue in August 1999.