SL vs AUS | 2nd Test | Pathum Nissanka ruled out after contracting Covid

Ahead of Day 4 of the ongoing second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia, the hosts were dealt a blow after opener Pathum Nissanka was ruled out due to testing Covid positive.

He becomes the sixth casualty from the Sri Lankan side in this series alone.

The opener complained about feeling unwell on Sunday and upon taking a rapid-antigen, his results confirmed the worst. Fast bowler Oshada Fernando has been subbed into the playing XI on Monday morning.

Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the same via a tweet, "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."

"A PCR test carried out later in the day confirmed the result. Nissanaka was immediately isolated in a different hotel upon identification and will undergo Covid-19 Protocols. Oshada Fernando will join the playing XI as a Covid replacement."

Interestingly, Fernando was also subbed in the first Test, where Angelo Mathews tested positive for coronavirus.

Fernando in the process becomes the first-player to be subbed in back-to-back matches due to covid-19.

So far, in the second Test, Sri Lanka have gained a 134-run lead over Australia, who scored 364 batting first, with centuries from Marnus Labuschagne (104) and Steve Smith (145*). 

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis added 152 runs for the second wicket, eventually getting out for 86 and 85, respectively.

Former skippers Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal continued the good work, ensuring the Lanka Lions went past the Australian lead by the end of day 3.

Chandimal scored his 13th hundred and is batting at 151* 

Australia won the first Test by 10 wickets and led the two-match series 1-0.