The Sri Lankan team is gearing up for the three one-day internationals and as many T20 international series against India. Earlier two of their support staff members tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. Consequently, the whole team was in isolation.
As the RT-PCR results of the remaining players returned negative on Sunday, the Sri Lankan team has started their preparations for the India series. Sri Lanka Coach Mickey Arthur spoke to Sportstar about the mood in the camp. He said,
“The mood in the camp is a lot better now. The players were allowed training on Tuesday, but the support staff will be allowed to come out of isolation on Wednesday as we were in close contact with them (Grant Flower and team analyst G.T. Niroshan). It has been well managed and we are looking forward to starting our training sessions.”
The Sri Lankan team won’t take the second-string Indian squad lightly as the team is like an “IPL All-Stars XI”, says Mickey Arthur.
“We are under no illusion because we know this is a wonderful Indian team. The Indian team is amazing, they have got so many good cricketers – it is like an IPL All Stars XI. They are an incredible bunch of players, and for us, it is very much about giving game time to young players, looking at possible combinations going forward.”
Sri Lanka cannot be in a transition phase forever, says Mickey Arthur
The Sri Lankan Cricket team is in a transition phase for quite a few years and is struggling to maintain stability. Coach Mickey Arthur says that the transition phase cannot go forever and has to end somewhere.
“Well, the transition phase has to end somewhere. You hope that you produce world-class players, and give them opportunity to grow. Once you produce those players, that’s when you start hunting trophies and start winning series. We hope to get our things right soon and then give the guys more game time over the next couple of years, so that they can step up and [become] ready to deliver. We cannot be in transition forever, you need to reach a point where you can back and trust the players.”
Sri Lanka vs India series kickstarts from July 18 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
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