Sri Lankan players kept in two different cities to limit the possible COVID-19 spread

In the wake of seven members in the England camp contracting the COVID-19 virus after Sri Lanka’s recently completed limited-overs series, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had taken precautions by dividing all players into two groups in separate bio-bubbles one in Colombo and another in Dambulla.

Upon arrival to Sri Lanka, batting coach Grant Flower, as well as team’s data analyst G T Niroshan, tested positive for the deadly virus. According to reports in ESPNCricinfo, SLC has made sure to have two separate groups so that the players do not contract the possible COVID-19 virus.

With two positive cases in the camp and a series against India set to start on July 17, the SLC board is not willing to take any chance whatsoever. “The data analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, G. T Niroshan, has tested positive for COVID-19,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

“He was found to be positive, following a PCR test carried out among national players, coaches, and support staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower as COVID positive. Niroshan is now undergoing due to medical protocols.”

If reports are to be believed, the SLC doctors fear that both the support staff has contracted the new Delta variant of the virus, which apparently is even deadlier than the previous ones. All the players and support staff have been tested once and are about to come out of isolation and enter the bio-bubble. Apart from that, the players will once again have to undergo another RT-PCR test.

A good chance for Team India players ahead of T20 WC 2021

Team India head coach for this tour, Rahul Dravid spoke about giving the fringe players a chance during the six white-balls matches. With ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled to take place in the UAE in the months of October and November, Dravid is keen to give all youngsters a chance to showcase their prowess ahead of the global event.

The first of the three-match ODI series will start on July 17 with five other limited-overs games scheduled in the series.