Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has allowed the players’ family members to join the squad during the forthcoming home Test series against England, it is learnt here.
According to the highly placed sources in Galle, where both the Test matches (January 14-18 & Jan. 22-26) are to be played, the wives (and children, if any) of three players-Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando-have joined the team hotel. No players were allowed to have their family members on the South Africa tour. Chandimal, Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando were members of the SA tour. The visiting team had lost both the Tests. “We also didn’t allow families during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) but this time we have compromised with their request”, a senior official aware about the development, said exclusively.
“These family members too will undergo regular PCR tests”.
“The first tests undertaken by all players arriving from South Africa were negative. They were to undergo the second tests on Monday night”, the source further added.
The two injured players-Kasun Rajitha and Dhananjay de Silva-who are still with the team (under physio and trainer’s care) will leave the hotel on Wednesday as they are not part of the 22-member squad. Santhush Gunathilake and Madushanka are also out of the squad.
Angelo Mathews and four other players have joined the squad. The Sri Lankan team had its first training session after arriving from South Africa on Monday morning.
