Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Groundsman in Pallekele tests COVID-19 positive

A ground-staff member at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has been tested positive COVID-19. The opening Test between Dimuth Karunaratne’s Sri Lanka and Mominul Haque’s Bangladesh is currently taking place in Pallekele with two days left in the match.

After the development came to the fore, the groundsman and nine other members, who came in direct contact with him, were sent in isolation on an immediate basis. Prasanna Rodrigo, the media manager of Sri Lanka Cricket put forth the news.

“A temporary worker, who reported to work, was found positive during regular testings we do before they enter the venue. Once he was found positive, he along with nine of his first contacts were sent to follow regular health protocols,” Rodrigo was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

The second Test, scheduled to start on Thursday, April 29, is set to be played at the same venue. The series was set to be played in July 2020, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thereafter, reports said that the series would be played in October-November.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board showed their apprehensions over spending the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Sri Lanka. With the groundsman testing COVID-19 positive, it remains to be seen whether or not the SLC takes more steps to control the situation.

Bangladesh with the upper hand

After three days of play, the visitors can be said to have the upper hand. After electing to bat first, they racked up 541 for seven before declaring. On the second day, Najmul Hasan Shanto’s 163 and Mominul Haque’s 127 put the Tigers in the drivers’ seat.

On the third day, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das scored half-centuries to take Bangladesh’s score over the 500-run mark. For the Lankans, left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando stood out as he picked up four wickets from the 35 overs he rolled his arms over.

In Sri Lanka’s first innings, Dimuth Karunaratne showed a great amount of composure and he stayed unbeaten on 85 runs from 211 balls with eight fours.

Lahiru Thirimanne also scored a 125-ball 58. The Lankans are currently trailing by a significant 312 runs with seven wickets left in their first innings.