Sri Lanka players suspended for COVID-19 bio-bubble breach, three players sent back home

The ongoing series between Sri Lanka and England has been marred by the coronavirus pandemic. Phil Witticase, the 56-year-old match referee for the series, has tested positive for the coronavirus and will be in isolation for 10 days. According to the new mandate by the England and Wales Cricket Board, any player that tests positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for 10 days. However, Witticase’s situation might be slightly more alarming but it has not posed any problems for the upcoming ODI series.

According to an England and Wales Cricket Board statement, it said, “Seven other members from the match officials and anti-corruption unit teams were deemed close contacts, including five members due to officiate at the first ODI. No members of the two teams were impacted.”

However, there is an even bigger scare in question. According to a Wisden report, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis appeared to have breached the bio-bubble protocol in Durham.

Familiar faces in Durham tonight, enjoying their tour! Obviously not here to play cricket, this video was taken at 23.28 Sunday. Disappointing performance by these cricket players but not forgetting to enjoy their night at Durham. RIP #SrilankaCricket #KusalMendis #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/eR15CWHMQx

— Nazeer Nisthar (@NazeerNisthar) June 28, 2021

Sri Lanka players suspended

In a video that has been uploaded on Twitter, Dickwella and Mendis are seen outside at night without a mask. According to reports, both Dickwella and Kusal Mendis might be sent back home. They may also have to undergo a lengthy quarantine period on arrival. According to a Cricbuzz report, Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka have been suspended for breaching bio-bubble in England and will be sent back to Sri Lanka immediately.

The coronavirus cases have been on the rise in the United Kingdom, with over 10,000 cases per day. The new Delta plus variant has surged in the UK and lockdown-like restrictions are in place in many cities.

Sri Lanka will take on England in three ODIs starting on June 29. The matches will be played in Durham, The Oval, and Bristol. Sri Lanka was whitewashed 3-0 in the three-match Twenty20 International series.  The first T20I saw England registering a comfortable eight-wicket win. In the second match, the rain shortened England’s target but they still won. Sri Lanka reached rock bottom in the third match as they were bowled out for 91.

England also blighted by injury

Eoin Morgan’s side will be without the services of Jos Buttler for the remainder of the ODIs as he suffered an injury in the T20I series. The hosts had rested many players who were back from the IPL for the series against New Zealand. Following the end of the Sri Lanka series, England will host three ODIs and three T20Is against Pakistan in July. After that, England will host five Tests against India from August to September.

There is no commitment from the England players as to whether they will play the second part of the IPL in the UAE. There are international series scheduled for England against Bangladesh and Pakistan. The tour to Pakistan will be their first since 2005. The IPL might be played in between the window from September 15 to October 15, with the World T20 dates announced from October 17.