South Africa team arrive in Sri Lanka for limited over series

South Africa arrived in Sri Lanka for ODI and T20I series yesterday

By Bipin Dani

The South African contingent for the limited over series in Sri Lanka arrived in the island yesterday, with all players and support staff testing negative for Covid-19. 

All players and support staff members of the visiting South African team were tested on their arrival on Thursday, it is learnt. The next PCR tests for the visiting team will be conducted on 29th September. 

Temba Bavuma will captain the South African team. 

Two doctors from the Sri Lanka Army have been assigned to overlook Covid-related issues and tests during their 20-day stay in Sri Lanka. The visitors too have brought their own physician, it is learnt. 

Both teams are staying in the same hotel.  The members of the home team also gave their PCR tests on Wednesday and all returned negative results. 

The three day-night ODIs (September 2, 4 and 7) and the T20Is (September 10, 12 & 14) will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium behind closed doors. 

Sri Lanka’s batting coach Grant Flower, who had to miss the last series against India, has returned. The Zimbabwe-born Flower tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from England and had to be isolated.
Another support staff member G. T. Niroshan too was dropped for the same reason for the India series. He was replaced by Prad Navaratnam, who will continue to be with the team for the series against South Africa.