Three additional players testing positive for COVID-19 have caused havoc in Sri Lanka’s lineup for the second Test against Australia.
Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, fast Asitha Fernando, and all-arounder Dhananjaya de Silva have all fallen ill with the virus.
Just a few days after backup spinner Praveen Jayawickrama also tested positive, the three will miss the second Test in Galle.
The COVID epidemic in Sri Lanka started when veteran Angelo Mathews was substituted out of the first Test; five cases have since been reported.
After being taken out of isolation, Mathews will play on Friday.
Australia is sleeping in the same hotel as the Sri Lankan team, but they are keeping a respectful distance from one another and, as of now, have not had any positive tour tests.
While quick tests are only administered when players become unwell during a Test match, Australian athletes are examined every day outside of games.
The problems for Sri Lanka started after they added four reinforcements earlier this week, including the spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage.
The youthful pair has a great opportunity to make their debut in Galle since they are thought to be Sri Lankan spin’s future.
The most recent outs are a major setback for the hosts, who lost the first Test by a score of 10 wickets in just over two days.
