Sri Lanka have been hit by Covid-19 once again with opening batsman Pathum Nissanka testing positive for the virus amid the ongoing 2nd Test. The hosts have named Oshada Fernando as the substitute yet again for the 2nd time in two consecutive matches.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shared a statement on the news via Twitter. It read, “Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for Covid-19. He was found to be positive during an Antigen test conducted on the player yesterday morning, following the player complaining of feeling unwell.”
The statement added, ”A PCR test carried out later in the day confirmed the result. Nissanaka was immediately isolated in a different hotel upon identification and will undergo Covid-19 Protocols Oshada Fernando will join the playing XI as a Covid replacement.”
🔴 Team Updates:
Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for Covid-19.
He was found to be positive during an Antigen test conducted on the player yesterday morning, following the player complaining of feeling unwell. #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/NwTdTLOVFZ— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 11, 2022
Earlier, Fernando became the first player to come on as a Covid substitute as Angelo Mathews was ruled out of the first Test midway after testing positive. The hosts have been affected heavily with Covid-19 during the ongoing Australia series with over six players affected by the virus.
Five members of the Sri Lankan team set up were affected before Nissanka joined the list. The likes of Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, and Dhananjaya de Silva, tested positive for Covid-19 before Mathews and Nissanka also fell victim to the virus.
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Australia, on the other hand, have been able to avoid the deadly virus but saw a lot of players suffer from injuries during the ongoing tour. The visitors will be eager to keep the track record intact and avoid seeing any player being infected with just two days left in the series. They will also be hopeful of ending the tour on a high and whitewash the hosts by winning the second test match.
After the Australia’s ongoing tour to Sri Lanka, the islandic nation is all set to welcome Pakistan. The Men in Green are scheduled to play two Test matches. The first test match will be played at the Galle International Stadium from 16 July and will be followed up with 2nd test at the R. Premadasa Stadium . Sri Lanka will be hopeful of having majority of the players be available for the upcoming series and make a return to the Test team.
Image Credits: Sri Lanka Cricket/ Twitter
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Smit is a sports writer at Gutshot Magazine. After completing his Bachelor’s in Mass Media, and a Master’s degree in Sports Management, this sports fanatic uses articles as a tool to express his opinions. Bring up cricket or football and you will find this usually quiet guy speak for hours! He also co-heads the official supporters club of Chelsea FC in Mumbai, wherein he hosts screenings, football meets and other such events.
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