Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for COVID-19; Oshada Fernando replaces him

The COVID outbreak in Sri Lanka has grown to six after Pathum Nissanka became the latest player to be tested positive for the virus.

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Arijit Barua
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The COVID outbreak in Sri Lanka has grown to six after Pathum Nissanka became the latest player to be tested positive for the virus. Nissanka was disqualified on Monday from the final two days of a second test against Australia after rapid tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests revealed the virus.

Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for COVID-19; Oshada Fernando replaces him | SportzPoint.com

Pathum Nissanka

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He was replaced by Oshada Fernando for the rest of the 2nd Test. Oshada is the same man who took over for Angelo Matthews last week when the Sri Lankan veteran was the first to land.

The hosts had already lost Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando from their squad to the virus before testing began. Praveen Jayawickrama also tested positive with the spare wheel last week. Meanwhile, Matthews has since returned to the team after coming out of isolation.

Sri Lanka has opted not to test the entire team on the eve of the match. However, the players are only checked inside the match if they feel unwell.

Despite their predicament, Sri Lanka managed to claim the upper hand in the second Test. Notably, they got beaten by 10 wickets at the opening of the series.

Read Also: Covid-19 hits Sri Lanka camp on the eve of the Australia Test

Drafted as a result of COVID cases, Prabath Jayasuriya took six wickets in the first innings. Moreover, his teammate Kamindo Mendes scored half a century.

Australia has so far avoided any cases on the tour. They're also checking daily out of matches and whenever it leaves the team hotel. They also made sure to keep their distance from the Sri Lankan players. Both of the teams are staying at the same Galle hotel

Cricket Australia Srilanka Cricket Covid 19 Covid Positive