Tendulkar's availability to be known after another bone scan

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's availability for the three-match Test series in Sri Lanka from August 14 would be known only after the second bone scan on his injured right toe, scheduled for August 10, according to Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary Mayank Khandwala.

Khandwala told PTI in Mumbai today that he spoke to the star batsman, who informed him that he was feeling much better but said the toe was still paining a bit.

"He (Tendulkar) told me that the padding on the right toe was still on and he would get a clear picture only after the second bone scan in the second week of August," Khandwala added.

Though the selectors would be meeting here on August 2 to pick the Indian team for the Test series, a slot would be kept vacant to accommodate the master batsman at the last minute after he goes through the bone scan, according to BCCI sources.

Tendulkar, who hurt his toe during the triangular series league tie against the West Indies in Zimbabwe on July 4 and was forced to pull out of the on-going triangular series in Sri Lanka, has kept the BCCI informed about the progress he is making in the last few days.