Mathews subbed out after positive COVID test

Sri Lanka veteran ruled out of the first Test on the morning of day three and replaced by Oshada Fernando after testing positive to COVID-19

Sri Lanka have been rocked by a mid-game positive COVID-19 case with Angle Mathews ruled out of the first Test against Australia.

Oshada Fernando has come into the hosts' XI in place of Mathews, who would have played a key role in the hosts' crucial second innings on day three of the series opener.

Mathews, Sri Lanka’s most experienced player, returned a positive rapid antigen test on Thursday after feeling unwell. Sri Lanka Cricket says he has since been isolated from other team members.

Fernando has played 15 Tests, averaging 36 and has one hundred to his name. (cricket.com.au)