Three players test positive for COVID-19 ahead of SLC T20 League

A few other players fail fitness test 

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The players and officials of the four teams participating in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) T20 League left Colombo for Kandy yesterday sans three players, who tested positive for COVID-19, and a few other players, who failed the fitness test. 

On Sunday, SLC carried out a physical fitness test and some of the players who did not fulfil the required levels did not join the teams that left for Kandy, thus reducing the number of members in the squads.

Further, a PCR was performed on all the players and officials prior to them leaving for Kandy and it was found that leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage (SLC Blues), and fast-bowler Mohamed Shiraz and all-rounder Nimesh Vimukthi (both SLC Reds) tested positive. These three players also stayed back.

A total of 15 players were selected to represent each of the four teams – SLC Blues, Reds, Greens and Greys.

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said that the following changes were made to the teams – Himasha Liyanage from Blues team to Grays, Kamil Mishara from Greens to Grays and Prabath Jayasuriya from Grays to Red.  

The SLC Invitation T20 tournament will take place at the Pallekele International from 12-24 August and is a forerunner to next month’s tour here by South Africa and the T20 World Cup in October.

The players of the four teams that left for Kandy yesterday will go into a bio-bubble before commencing practices at the Pallekele Stadium in preparation for the matches.

SLC also announced the match officials for the tournament.

The Match Referees panel will consist of T.H.R. Priyantha, Nalliah Devarajan and Ravi Punchihewa, while the Umpiring Panel will comprise of Keerthi Bandara, Deepal Gunawardena, Asanga Jayasuriya, Hemantha Boteju, Rohitha Kottahachchi and Ravindra Kottahachchi.