4 March 2020 12:05 am
Captain of the England Team Joe Root is welcomed at the Shangri-La Hotel
Pic courtesy SLC
England players will not shake hands during the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Captain Joe Root.
Root’s side suffered gastroenteritis and flu problems during their recent tour of South Africa and will instead greet each other with fist bumps.
England will contest the first of two warm-up games in Katunayake on Saturday in preparation for the two-Test tour.
The Tests will form part of the ICC World Test Championship.
“After the illnesses that swept through the squad in South Africa, we are well aware of the importance of keeping contact to a minimum,” said Root.
“We are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the anti-bacterial wipes and gels we’ve been given in our immunity packs.”
Root added England “fully expect the tour to continue as planned” but the team is in regular contact with the authorities and will “proceed as advised”.
(BBC)
England tour of Sri Lanka 2020
March 7-9: v SLC Board President’s XI at Katunayake.
March: 12-15 v SLC Board President’s XI at P. Sara Oval.
March 19-23: 1st Test at Galle.
March 27-31: 2nd Test at R. Premadasa Stadium.