A day after Sri Lanka’s batting coach Grant Flower tested positive for the novel coronavirus, team data analyst GT Niroshan has also tested positive just ahead of the white-ball series against India slated to kick off from 13 July. The news was made public by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) through their official Twitter handle. Niroshan is currently under isolation and is undergoing treatment.
"The Data Analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, G.T. Niroshan, has tested positive for Covid 19," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.
"He was found to be positive, following a PCR Test carried out among the National Players, Coaches, and Support Staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower as Covid Positive. Niroshan is now undergoing due medical protocols,” the statement further read.
Earlier Grant Flower had tested positive for the virus just 48 hours after landing from England. It is believed that Flower was not in close proximity of the players in the last few days. The players and support staff are currently isolating themselves separately and the board feels that the series against India will go as planned. However, the team had travelled together from England.
Sri Lanka has been marred by controversies in the recent past with senior players Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis breaching the bio-bubble protocols in England. They were sent back from England and is serving suspension until the probe is over. Reports have surfaced that they could be out for a minimum of one year.