After receiving negative results for the PCR tests conducted on 35 national cricketers, coaching staff, net bowlers and the High-Performance Center (HPC) staff of the Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka’s cricket tour of the West Indies is once again back on track.
Sri Lanka Cricket had to postpone the West Indies tour after Sri Lanka cricket head coach Mickey Arthur and top-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne tested positive for Covid-19 last week. As a result, the two individuals were taken into quarantine, and their close contacts were made to self-quarantine immediately and the training for the tour came to an abrupt halt last week.
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However, following the negative results obtained from the rest of the training squad, they recommenced their training yesterday and underwent the new fitness test-launched by Sri Lanka Cricket in order to determine the fitness levels of the players.
Speaking to Daily FT, Ashley de Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket said that with the PCR tests and fitness tests completed successfully, they can go ahead with the tour of West Indies.
“The players underwent a fitness test yesterday. They started training yesterday. We have not got the results of the fitness test yet. The reports will be submitted to us by today.
“We were waiting for the PCR tests to come out so now all of them have been tested negative. We are seeking the views of the cricket committee and hopefully, we might get feedback today (Saturday). When we spoke to them verbally, they sounded positive for us to go ahead with the tour after pushing it back by about a week,” he said.
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De Silva further mentioned that the itinerary for the tour will remain the same without reducing the number of matches.
“There will not be any changes to the number of matches, but the only change will be in the order of matches. Earlier it was 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is and the 2 Tests but we have shown our preference to play the 3T20Is first and then the 3ODIs and the 2 Tests. We are waiting for a confirmation from Cricket West Indies,” said De Silva.
“We were supposed to go to the West Indies on 18 February, but we have requested Cricket West Indies to push the itinerary back by about 4-5 days so that there will be enough time and when the team goes there, they will have some time to carry out their training. We haven’t finalized the itinerary as yet” he said.
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Talking about the availability of head coach Mickey Arthur and top-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne as they are undergoing treatment following testing positive for Covid-19, De Silva mentioned that Arthur will go with the team, but Thirimanne’s selection will be based on medical advice.
“Arthur is only a trainer so there is no issue with him, he would be released in another four days’ time. Thirimanne has to train and practice physically so we have to get the doctor’s advice on him whether he will be fit enough to undergo strenuous physical activity,” said De Silva.
 staff of the Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka’s cricket tour of the West Indies is once again back on track to go ahead.){kind=link}