The batting coach of Sri Lanka Cricket Team, Grant Flower, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after he returned from their tour of England. The development has put India’s upcoming series against the Islanders in jeopardy.
In the wake of it, the entire contingent that traveled to England for a limited-overs series has been asked to quarantine themselves and instructed to not leave their rooms until further notice.
All members, who travelled back to Sri Lanka underwent a COVID test as soon as they landed in Colombo. The report that came out earlier today confirmed that Grant Flower is carrying the deadly virus. With only a couple of days to go for the first ODI against India, it remains to be seen how Sri Lanka Cricket field their team.
Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating defeat against England
had miserable outings on the tour, losing the three-match T20I series 0-3, before conceding the ODI series 0-2, with the final encounter at Bristol washed out. The visitors were under the spotlight during the tour also after three players – Sri Lanka’s vice-captain Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and batsman Danushka Gunathilaka – were spotted breaching the bio-bubble in a local market late night, where they were filmed by a Durham locale.
Days after the end of Sri Lanka’s assignment, seven players – three players and remaining support staff – tested positive for the virus in England’s ODI setup, leading the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to announce a fresh 18-man squad for the limited-overs series against Pakistan, which underwent from July 8 onwards with the first ODI.
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