Fielding coach Shane McDermott skips Bangladesh tour

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka's Australian fielding coach Shane McDermott will skip the Bangladesh tour, it is learnt. 

According to highly placed sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the 40-year-old McDermott had applied for a short break a few days ago and he did not join the hotel bio-bubble and has not been coaching the players. 

"He is very much in Sri Lanka but sought a break to prepare himself for the big series against England which is due to follow after the Bangladesh tour,” the source said.   

"Manoj Abeywickrama has replaced him for the Bangladesh tour", he said. 

SLC is also sending Sajeewa Weerakoon as an additional support staff member. 

Both Abeywickrama and Weerakoon were not part of the squad which toured the West Indies.  

The players only had gym sessions on Sunday. 

Because of the bad weather, they were given off for the ground practice, it is also learnt.   

The player and support staff member, who recently joined the squad after being COVID affected, will give their last PCR tests on Sunday and they will travel to Bangladesh subject to their negative tests. 

In the event of their adverse reports, no replacement at the last moment will be sought.