SA bowling coach Charl Langeveldt, fast bowler Junior Dala to miss Sri Lanka tour due to new COVID-19 norms

South Africa are gearing up to take on hosts Sri Lanka in a white-ball series next month. The tour comprises three ODIs and as many T20Is, taking place between September 2 and September 14. With this series being South Africa and Sri Lanka’s last assignment before the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2021 in October, both teams would have been determined to unleash their best show.

However, the visiting side’s plans have been dented with bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and fast bowler Junior Dala missing the tour. The duo tested positive for the COVID-19 virus a few weeks ago. Although both have now returned with negative tests, they can’t enter the island nation due to the new norms.

Lutho Sipamla, Mandla Mashimbyi named replacements for Sri Lanka tour

The Sri Lankan government requires anyone entering the country to have not tested positive at least 21 days prior to arrival. With Dala and Langeveldt recovering recently, they aren’t eligible to travel to Sri Lanka. While fast bowler Lutho Sipamla replaces Dala in the squad, Northerns’ coach Mandla Mashimbyi will stand in for Langeveldt. Notably, Mashimbyi recently traveled with the national team to West Indies with regular assistant coach Enoch Nkwe not available.

Hence, Nkwe is not entirely with the drill and it would be interesting to see how delivers in the mentorship department. Speaking of Lutho Sipamla, the young fast bowler has been one of the most prolific performers in South Africa’s domestic circuit lately. He even has a taste of international cricket. Making his South Africa debut in 2021, the right-arm pacer has so far scalped 17 wickets across the three formats.

Hence, he’ll have a point to prove in the tour and it would be interesting to see how he performs. Meanwhile, all the six matches in the tour take place at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with the first ODI being played on September 2. Notably, South Africa also don’t have the services of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Lungi Ngidi in the ODI clashes.

Nevertheless, the trio will return in the T20I leg. Hence, defeating the Lankan Lions at home won’t be easy for the Proteas side. Not to forget, Sri Lanka defeated India 2-1 in the T20I series in July.