SL v IND 2021: Sri Lanka batting coach Grant Flower tests COVID-19 positive on return from UK

Flower and the entire SL contingent has been asked to isolate in their hotel rooms.

Grant Flower, SL batting coach | Getty

Grant Flower, former Zimbabwe batsman, and current Sri Lanka batting coach has tested positive for COVID-19 after PCR tests were conducted on the Sri Lankan contingent that returned from their tour of England recently.

With Flower being the only member of the squad testing positive so far, Sri Lanka's medical staff are hopeful the assignment against India will not be impacted. However, as a precaution, the entire contingent has been asked to isolate themselves in their hotel rooms and not come out.

SLC appoints 5-member panel to inquire the misconduct of Mendis, Dickwella, and Gunathilaka

It is believed that Flower is not believed to have been in especially close contact with other squad members over the last few days. Provided Flower's test was not a false positive, medical staff believe he likely contracted the disease in England.

"We have to find out how Flower got infected, and also which variant of the virus he has been infected with," a member of Sri Lanka's medical staff told ESPNCricinfo.

The original plan saw the team ending their isolation and going into a team bio-bubble on Friday, but those plans may now be put on hold depending on the results of the next round of PCR results, conducted on Thursday evening.

Further information about Flower's own infection may also affect other members of the squad. If it turns out he has the more infectious Delta variant, for example, there may be consequences for others in the squad.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 08 Jul, 2021

    Share Via