All Sri Lankan Players Test Negative In Latest RT-PCR Test; ODI Series Against India Set To Start On July 18

A good piece of news coming in is that the entire Sri Lanka first team have reported negative results in their latest RT-PCR tests. If not for any more hiccups, the ODI series against India, which was earlier re-scheduled to July 18, will start on its modified date.

The players will now be allowed to enter the bio-bubble by Monday and train in small groups; the outdoor training and skills session (net practice) is also expected to start in the next 48 hours.

They have been placed in hard quarantine since returning from England as the England team reported 7 positive cases, and then on arrival, Sri Lanka’s batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst G T Niroshan were also tested positive for the virus.

In the aftermath of these cases, the ODI series was pushed back by five days from July 13 to 18. The second and the third ODI are going to be played on July 20 and 23; the T20I series is slated for July 25, 27, and 29.

“Normally, the moment we get any positive result we announce. There has been another round of RT-PCR tests conducted yesterday and the results were supposed to come today. We only get the results if there is any positive cases,” a source in SLC told PTI.

“Since we haven’t got any positive report, which we normally receive by mid day, it can be presumed that all players have tested negative.

“If all goes well, the UK-returned players would be able to come out of their hard quarantine (room isolation) and enter the bio-bubble. The robust testing is expected to continue as per norms (every third or fifth day),” the source added.

For the revised training itinerary of the players, it is learned that the Sri Lankan team will be practicing at the Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) since the Indians are training at the Singhalese Sports Club ground (SSC).

The source also updated about the health status of batting coach Flower and analyst Niroshan.

“Grant and Niroshan are at an isolation facility as per protocols. Both are asymptomatic and doing fine as of now. There hasn’t been any deterioration of health as per our knowledge. They will complete their stipulated isolation period,” the source informed.

Also Read: Watch: Dwayne Bravo’s One-Handed Six Off Ashton Agar Flies Over The Roof Of The Deep Square Leg Region