Sri Lankan players desperate to begin first training session

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lankan players are “desperate” to begin their first training session in Antigua on Monday. As per the latest information exclusively available to this reporter on Sunday morning (India and Sri Lanka time), all players have tested Covid-19 negative. 

Their hopes of getting into action had turned into anxiety as till Saturday morning in Antigua as they had not got the results of their first PCR tests done on arrival in the country.

According to the sources, the players and the support staff members have also undergone the second PCR tests and the results are awaited. 

“There is a backlog. All will be done,” a top official of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) board said on Sunday night. 
“They are being tested on arrival and on Day 3. They will get their results at some point today or tomorrow morning and once all are negative they will train tomorrow as planned,” another official added.   

Sri Lanka’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean kicks off on March 3 with the three-match T20I series. Sri Lanka will also play three ODI’s and two Tests on this tour. 

“All matches will be played behind closed doors,” Johnny Grave, CEO, CWI, confirmed. He also said that home umpires and match referees will officiate and supervise the matches.