Three Sri Lanka cricketers, who had breached the team’s bio-bubble and were casually seen roaming around a Durham marketplace, have been suspended and are being sent back home immediately, board’s secretary Mohan De Silva has announced.
The three cricketers found guilty of the breach are Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka & Niroshan Dickwella.
Issuing a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan De Silva said: “Sri Lanka Cricket executive Committee has suspended Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka & Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio- bubble and they will be immediately recalled to Sri Lanka.”
Although the Lanka cricketers were allowed to go out in Cardiff, they were asked to remain inside in Durham because of the high number of Covid-19.
Despite the development, it has been learnt that the ODI series between Sri Lanka and England will go as per schedule.
Earlier, ICC Match referee Phil Whitticase, who officiated in all the three T20I matches, tested positive for Covid-19.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had confirmed that Whitticase was “well and asymptomatic” but will remain in isolation for 10 days.
While the players and support staff members from both teams were declared safe, seven other members from the match officials and anti-corruption unit teams were sent into isolation for 10 days as they came in “close contact” with Whitticase.
The visitors had lost the three-match T20I series 0-3 to the hosts.