3 Sri Lanka Players Suspended For Breaching Bio-Bubble After The Viral Video; Withdrawn From The ODI Series Against England

Three Sri Lanka cricketers namely Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Niroshan Dickwella have been suspended pending an inquiry by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Executive Committee for breaching the bio-bubble.

A video surfaced on social media showing Mendis and Dickwella roaming out in a public space in Durham, which was not part of their bio-bubble, following the conclusion of their T20I series loss to England on Saturday. Gunathilaka wasn’t seen in the video but was with the two players.

All three cricketers are being sent back home immediately from Durham and will miss the ODI series starting Tuesday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket executive committee has suspended Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka & Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio- bubble and they will be immediately recalled to Sri Lanka,” SLC secretary Mohan De Silva said in a statement.

“We will bring them back to Sri Lanka in the next available flight, they are suspended pending inquiry” SLC President Shammi Silva told NewsWire.

Sri Lanka Cricket launched an investigation into the matter to ascertain if the cricketers had breached the bio-bubble and hotel curfew. The SLC called for a report from the team manager to verify the authenticity of the video, following which this action by the board has been taken.

Watch: Sri Lankan cricketers Mendis and Dickwella caught red-handed breaching the bio-bubble

SLC has decided to bring back cricketers Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio-bubble.

Video Credit – Nazzer Nisthar #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/kfGrLC9MQv

— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) June 28, 2021

The first ODI is slated for Tuesday in Chester-le-Street, the second on Thursday in London, and the third on Sunday in Bristol.

Sri Lanka, who received a 3-0 drubbing in the T20I series by England, are placed at the bottom of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table with just one win in 6 matches; they are coming off a 2-1 loss in Bangladesh. England, meanwhile, are second on the table with 4 wins in 9 games; they, too, are coming off a 2-1 loss to India.

Earlier in the day, Phil Whitticase, who was the match referee officiating in the T20I series, had unfortunately returned a positive test for COVID-19. A total of 7 match officials and anti-corruption people have been deemed close contacts with Whitticase and are placed in isolation.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Should Tone Down A Bit So His Team Can Relax: Michael Holding