Sri Lanka tour of the Caribbean in limbo

ICC Cricket World Cup – Sri Lanka v West Indies
Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne in action against the West Indies at Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain, July 1, 2019.
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith, file

The Sri Lanka tour of the West Indies hangs in the limbo after head coach, Mickey Arthur and batsman, Lahiru Thirimanne were tested positive for COVID-19.

Arthur and opener Thirimanne are following government health protocols after discovering they had contracted COVID-19 in the latest round of testing last week.

Sri Lankan national cricket team coach, Mickey Arthur wearing a protective mask looks on from inside the team bus after their first practice session after almost two months lockdown amidst concerns about the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 2, 2020. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte,file

The Sri Lanka team is due to leave for the Caribbean this month, but the tour may be pushed back.

A Sri Lanka Cricket Board statement said, “Following PCR Tests carried out on the provisional squad, which was preparing to take part in the national team’s upcoming tour of the West Indies, head coach, Mickey Arthur and Sri Lanka player, Lahiru Thirimanne have tested positive for COVID-19.”

“Considering the current situation, SLC is exploring the possibility of rescheduling the Tour scheduled to commence on Feb. 20, 2021,” the statement said.