Sri Lanka cricket team was hit by a Covid-19 outbreak on the eve of Friday's second Test against Australia with Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando all testing positive for the virus. It is understood that the trio had all reported feeling unwell which led to the entire Sri Lanka squad being tested. Meanwhile, then the positive results came back on Wednesday.
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Also Read: Praveen Jayawickrama ruled out of the second Test against Australia due to Covid
It brings the number of Covid-19 cases in the Sri Lanka camp to five, following Angelo Mathews and Praveen Jayawickrama. Mathews was the first and had to be subbed out on the third day of the first Test and then the left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama. Jayawicrama will also miss the second test starting on Friday.
"All three players were found to be positive during a Rapid Antigen Test conducted yesterday,"
Sri Lanka Cricket said on Thursday
The hosts are looking to bounce back after their crushing 10-wicket defeat inside three days in the opening Test. The Aussies are leading the two-match Test series by 1-0.
Sri Lanka had already reinforced their spin bowling contingent with the addition of Maheesh Theekshana, Dinuth Wellalage, and Prabath Jayasuriya. Moreover, they had also added all-rounder Lakshita Manasinghe, who bowls off-spin.
Lakshan Sandakan is a left-arm wrist-spinner, who last played a Test in 2018. He was added to the squad as further cover on Thursday.
The Aussies are also staying in the same hotel as the Sri Lanka team. However, they're keeping their distance, and at this point, has had no positive tests on the tour.