Sri Lanka squad support staff member tests positive at Pallekele

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s 22-member cricket squad preparing for the upcoming tour of South Africa in Pallekele ran into a dire situation, when one of their support staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

“The baggage boy was tested positive and he is under quarantine. It’s not a serious issue, but he is under self-quarantine. He was pulled out of the squad and sent home to be in self-isolation. The tests were carried out on Monday. We carry out tests for the entire squad every three days,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva.

The players and support staff are on a nine-day training schedule in Pallekele from 13 November, preparing for the two Tests to be played in South Africa, starting on 26 December at Centurion and 3 January at Johannesburg; two high-altitude venues with the fastest pitches in South Africa.

The players from the squad who are involved in the My11Circle Lanka Premier League (LPL) will travel to Hambantota to represent their respective teams at the end of the nine-day training in Pallekele. 

All the five teams taking part in the LPL are booked at the Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota. The LPL commences on 26 November with the final scheduled for 16 December. The Sri Lanka team of 22 players and 10 officials will leave for South Africa on 17 December.