Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are currently exploring several options after Batting Coach Grant Flower and Data Analyst GT Niroshan have tested positive for the contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.
ThePapare.com put down several viable options having assessed the current situation.
Option 1 – Reschedule the series
With the main squad in isolation until the 11th July (Sunday) at Taj Samudra Hotel, one of the options the authorities are currently discussing is to reschedule the start of the series. The first ODI is set to be played on 13th July (Tuesday) and the hosts would not want to go unprepared for an important home series which carries ICC Cricket World Cup Super League 2020-2022 points.
Read: Sri Lanka Cricket Data Analyst tests positive for Covid-19
The visiting Indian team have had ample preparation time with at least two intra-squad games being played at SSC Grounds. However, they will be a little concerned with the rescheduling of the series since it might affect their pre-planned rest days. As per reliable sources, SLC has already had discussions with the Indian broadcasters, SONY and the Indian management over the matter.
Option 2 – Fielding a second-string team
With as many as 21 players from the squad returning from England still in isolation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) can opt to field a make-shift team with the players combining from two bio-bubbles currently in operation in Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo and Dambulla.
Read: Grant Flower tests positive for Covid-19
The two bubbles (excluding the players returning from England) have more than 60 players, who signed contracts with Sri Lanka Cricket and have been training over the past few days. Several players from the Colombo bubble will travel to Dambulla to join the ‘A’ team training sessions in order to be well-prepared if the need arises, ThePapare learns.
Players such as Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Udara and Ashen Bandara, who have been named in the 25-member preliminary squad named for the India series, have not been exposed to the squad which returned from England yet. Therefore, they can be a part of the second-string team if the selectors opt for another squad.
Option 3 – Play without preparation
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) can play the waiting game and hope that the next set of PCR Tests, scheduled to be done again on Saturday evening (10th July) for the support staff and the squad will turn out negative. In that case, the Sri Lankan team can end their room isolation and start training on the 11th of July (evening) and 12th of July (full day) before playing the first match on the 13th of July.
Read: Dasun Shanaka to replace Kusal Perera as captain
What will Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) choose to do? What’s the most ideal option? Comment below.
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