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ICC Cricket World Cup Second doping test for Sri Lankan players

26 Jun 2019 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

 

 

By BIPIN DANI

Four members of the Sri Lankan World Cup Cricket Squad had provided their second doping test yesterday, ahead of the clash against South Africa on Friday. 
According to highly placed sources in England, few Anti-Doping Officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC) made a ‘surprise visit’ at the Riverside Grounds, in Chester-le-Street, where the Sri Lankan players were practicing in the morning. 


The players who had provided doping tests were Captain Dimuth Karunaratne, pace bowlers Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and all rounder Jeevan Mendis.
Interestingly, this is the second time that the players from the Sri Lankan Squad are dope tested. 


The results of the first doping tests which were conducted at the Merchant Taylors School (MTS) in, Northwood, Middlesex in England (before the commencement of the World Cup) is not made known to the team and hence it is assumed that none of the player had consumed banned substance. 


“Two members of the Support Staff, Nick Lee (Strength and Conditioning Coach) and Ajantha Wattegama (Physiotherapist) were present when the doping tests were conducted. 
“They facilitated the smooth process of the tests,” a well-informed source added further. 


Yellow jersey 


Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan players will be seen in yellow jersey instead of their traditional blue jersey in the remaining three league matches in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. 
“We had sought the permission from the ICC World Cup Organising Committee and their approval has in this regard,” a member of the team management, said yesterday. 
“The idea had come from none other than our Captain Dimuth Karunaratne himself. He believes that the yellow jersey proved ‘very lucky’ for us.” 


The Sri Lankan Team wore the yellow jersey for the first time during their World Cup match against England at Leeds on June 21).   


“For the next two matches our rival teams, South Africa and the West Indies have green and red jerseys and therefore, the permission for contrasting yellow colour was sought.”