SL vs AUS: Big Blow For Sri Lanka As Three More Players Are Ruled Out Of Second Test

Prior to the second Test match against Australia in Galle, which begins on July 8, Sri Lanka has been hit with three additional COVID-19 instances. 

The second Test will not include all-arounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando, and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay since they all tested positive for COVID-19. The first Test in Galle included all three players. 

Angelo Mathews Available For Selection

The hosts are already without the services of spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, who also tested positive this week, so the news is a further setback. As a result, there are now five instances in the Sri Lankan camp overall. 

However, the presence of former captain Angelo Mathews, who will be available for selection, will help the hosts. Oshada Fernando replaced Mathews during the first Test when he was removed due to a positive test result. 

The remaining members of the team have all returned negative results, and the hosts have added spinner Lakshan Sandakan to the lineup. 

Sri Lanka Test Team Debut On The Cards For Dunith Wellalage And Maheesh Theekshana

Australia is staying in the same hotel as the Sri Lankan team, but they are keeping a respectful distance from one another and, as of now, have not had any positive tour tests. 

While quick tests are only administered when players become unwell during a Test match, Australian athletes are examined every day outside of games. Around noon in Galle, the final round of those pre-game rapids was scheduled to be administered. 

Spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage were among the five reinforcements that Sri Lanka brought into their team earlier this week. 

The youthful duo has a great opportunity to make their debut in Galle since they are thought to be the future of Sri Lankan spin.

After losing the first Test by 10 wickets at the same location, Sri Lanka is presently down 1-0 in the two-game series. A win would be crucial for them in order to tie the series and secure some crucial World Test Championship points. 

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