Sri Lankan cricketer Sandun Weerakkody tests positive for Covid-19

Batsman Sandun Weerakkody is the latest national cricketer to test positive for Covid-19. 

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper batsman was one among the other players training in Sri Lanka and was in a separate bio-bubble in the team hotel.  

He has since been isolated.

Weerakkody's last international match was an ODI against South Africa in 2017.    

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the request of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to reschedule the forthcoming three ODI and the three T-20i matches but at the same time has demanded the Sri Lankan team be transferred to a different hotel.   

According to sources, the demand was not from the team but was put forward by its board immediately on learning that one more support staff member of the host’s team, GT Niroshan (computer analyst) was Covid-19 positive, a day after batting coach Grant Flower also returned a positive test. 

The entire Sri Lankan team and the support staff are being transferred to Hotel Grand Cinnamon, which is about 1.5 km away from Taj Samudra, where both teams were staying. (Bipin Dani)