Sri Lanka Cricketers Moved To A Different Hotel Amid COVID-19 Scare Ahead Of The India Series

The Sri Lankan team have found themselves in another unsettling situation as the authorities have shifted them to another hotel amid the COVID-19 scare. Sri Lanka, who earlier resided in Hotel Taj, have moved to Hotel Cinnamon. But the tourists, the Indian outfit, will continue their stay at Taj. The COVID-19 cases in the Sri Lankan camp could most likely force the ODI schedule into postponement.

The three-match ODI series, slated to start on the 13th of July, will most likely occur on the 17th or 18th. The reason for the probable rescheduling is that the Sri Lankan camp has witnessed a couple of COVID-19 positive cases after returning from England. Batting coach Grant Flower and analyst GT Niroshan have contracted the disease.

Furthermore, the player selection remains as much a headache for the selectors. With the Sri Lankan cricketers awaiting their RT-PCR tests, their availability depends upon the test results. Nevertheless, the cricket board seems to have a plan. If the need arises, the association have to choose players from the group of 24 cricketers currently camped in Dambulla.

Sri Lanka batting coach refuses to take COVID-19 vaccine:

Reportedly, Sri Lanka are also dealing with the batting coach Grant Flower refusing to take the available COVID-19 vaccine jab. The former Zimbabwe cricketer reportedly denied the Sputnik vaccine and instead prefers the Pfizer one. The medical experts are still trying to convince him to have the one available.

Meanwhile, SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva told Daily Mirror that Flower seems reluctant to take Sputnik and other vaccines since he cannot travel to Zimbabwe if he is not administered with a recommended jab like Pfizer.

Sri Lanka has already been struggling with their on-field performances, while their off-field conduct has not been too good either. After a winless England tour, Dasun Shanaka is likely to succeed Kusal Perera as captain. But with the player availability in doubt as well, the hosts could further struggled against a fearless Indian team.

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