• PCR tests to be carried out every 5 days during England series

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Five of the seven players nominated as replacements for the injured in South Africa for the upcoming two Tests against England have been included in the 22-member squad named for the series starting at Galle International Cricket Stadium on 14 January.

The five who have made it to the squad for the England series are middle order batsmen Angelo Mathews and Roshane Silva, fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep, off-spinning all-rounder Ramesh Mendis and left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan. Opening bat Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Ashan Priyanjan were left out.

Thus from the 21-member squad that toured South Africa, four players have been left out which includes Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha who are both injured.

It is likely that fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara and batsmen Oshada Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal – all of whom had injuries in South Africa have been retained for the England series.

The squad has been sent to the Sports Minister for ratification.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka team was due to arrive at Mattala International Airport from South Africa last night and after undergoing a PCR test check into the Le Grand Hotel in Galle.

“The players who are not in the squad for the England series will be quarantined for three to four days and after they are tested again they would be released from the hotel,” said Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva.

“The rest of the players will quarantine for two days and do the test before joining the five players in the bubble. The five players have already checked into the Galle Le Grand Hotel and they have got into a bubble and already carried out training. The rest of the players who arrived on Friday will start training after three days,” he said.

With regards to the England training, De Silva said, “All the players have been tested positive except for Moeen Ali and they are carrying out testing regularly and training at Hambantota. England will check into the Lighthouse Hotel in Galle on 10 January. Presently they are staying at the Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota.”

De Silva said that during the two-Test series the players of both teams will be tested after every five days.

The series takes place in Galle from 14 -26 January.

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