Sri Lanka have suffered a blow midway through the second Test against Australia with news that opener Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for Covid-19.
Nissanka tested positive on Sunday morning via an Antigen test and a PCR test later that day confirmed the diagnosis.
The right-hander was immediately taken to a different hotel to isolate and will sit out the remainder of the second Test in Galle while he completes Covid-19 protocols, with his place in Sri Lanka’s XI to be taken by Oshada Fernando.
Nissanka scored just six during Sri Lanka’s first innings before he edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to gully and was superbly caught by Cameron Green.
🔴 Team Updates:
Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for Covid-19.
He was found to be positive during an Antigen test conducted on the player yesterday morning, following the player complaining of feeling unwell. #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/NwTdTLOVFZ— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 11, 2022
It means Sri Lanka have now lost five players to Covid prior or during this Test match, with all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando, spin duo Jeffrey Vandersay and Praveen Jayawickrama and now Nissanka all missing.
