Another case of coronavirus has emerged from the Sri Lankan camp after Grant Flower as the team’s video and data analyst GT Niroshan has now tested positive for the virus, just 4 days ahead of their home series against India.
The Sri Lankan Cricket board confirmed the news on social media after their RT-PCR test results came out on Friday. The support staff member has been kept in quarantine and being taken care of by the team doctors, who are also looking after batting coach Grant Flower.
“The Data Analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, G. T. Niroshan, has tested positive for Covid 19.
“He was found to be positive, following a PCR Test carried out among the National Players, Coaches, and Support Staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower as Covid Positive.
“Niroshan is now undergoing due medical protocols,” the Lankan cricket board said in a statement.
The two positive reports come less than a week before Sri Lanka’s limited-overs series against India, which starts from July 13. An Indian team led by Shikhar Dhawan has been training in Colombo after completing their mandatory quarantine period.
The team was already in a turmoil in England after three players broke the bubble protocols and were seen smoking on the streets of Durham before the ODI series. The SLC suspended Kushal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka for breaching bio-bubble protocols in the lead up to the ODI series between Sri Lanka and England in Durham.
Just days after the final ODI, as many as 7 members of the England side tested positive for Covid-19 in Bristol.
The list included 3 players and 4 support staff members. England announced a fresh squad for the 3-match ODI series against Pakistan, a day before the start of the series after the Covid-19 scare in the Eoin Morgan-led side.
