If reports from ESPNCricinfo are to be believed, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is considering withdrawing from their upcoming tour of South Africa due to COVID-19 preparation concerns after the recent three-match ODI series against England was canceled following the Coronavirus outbreak in the Proteas camp last week.
The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to play a two-match Test series in South Africa starting December 26 in Centurion but the Islanders fear the infections, as it could hamper their home series against England, which will start 10 days after the scheduled Proteas tour.
SLC raised concerns over the tour's safety after some South African players and a couple of hotel members tested COVID-19 positive, which led to the postponement of the recent ODI series against England and raised questions over the CSA’s COVID-19 protocols and bio-secure bubble arrangements.
However, CSA is trying to convince SLC that their bio-bubble arrangements are secure, but SLC is considering pulling out of the upcoming tour or offering to host the Tests at home instead of going to South Africa given the COVID-19 outbreak at the bubble.
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SLC has made it clear that they can’t afford any COVID-19 infection before the all-important home Tests against England which is vital to the health of SLC's finances following a tough 2020 because of the South Africa tour.
However, Sri Lanka's medical team is in touch with South Africa's medical officers to determine whether the bio-bubble arrangements in South Africa were sufficient.
Sri Lanka's team physician Dr. Daminda Attanayake said: “I have to bring the [Sri Lankan] players back from South Africa without a single positive case. We've requested [South Africa's] protocols be identical to the bio-bubble protocols we have been using for the LPL (Lanka Premier League). We've been successful with those. Players have tested positive but they've been isolated. We're requesting these protocols be followed not just by our team, but theirs as well.”
On the other hand, CSA's acting CEO Kugandrie Govender said: “I've spoken to the SLC CEO today as planned. We are obviously providing them with information to give all their stakeholders, including their health authorities, the reassurances they need.”
It is being said that SLC's medical staff will ask the CSA to make sure the cleaning staff in the team hotels are staying at the bubble in order to avoid the infection from outside and they will also speak to the ECB's medical staff to get a clearer picture on the nature of CSA's protocols.
(With ESPNCricinfo/PTI Inputs)
