AUS vs SL | Ace Sri Lanka all-rounder ruled out out of T20I series after testing positive

Sri Lanka's marquee all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga tested positive for Covid-19 to become the third active case in the camp only hours before the third T20I against Australia at Manuka Oval, Canberra.

After Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando, the ace Lankan spinner became the third casualty in the Sri Lankan camp. Hasaranga has been the lynchpin in the new look Lankan side, which has shown massive improvement and character under the leadership of Dasun Shanaka. Thus, this blow will hurt their chances the most.

Sri Lanka was swept 3-nil when they visited Australia the last time in the 2019-20 season. The scoreline of the current series is reading at 2-nil to Australia as well, but the Lankans have been far more competitive than the previous side that visited these shores. However, with increasing Covid cases the balance of the playing XI gets affected and the Asian team might find it difficult to win a single rubber if they keep losing key personnel like Hasaranga.

The increasing number of Covid cases is a threat to both camps. The players have been undergoing regular testing and there is no evidence of a further spread of the virus within the camp as of now.

The visitors have been jittered by Covid even when they arrived on Australian soil when uncapped pacer Nuwan Thushara and trainer Dilshan Fonseka had tested positive for Covid-19 which delayed their arrival by a week. Thushara, the slingy paceman, eventually made his debut on Sunday.

However, Sri Lanka will be bolstered with the return of Kusal Mendis who has completed his seven-day isolation after testing positive on 7th February.

Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner who had a remarkable comeback series at home after a successful LPL, is in line to replace Hasaranga. However, in case the team prefers to rope in an all-rounder they do have Ramesh Menis available as well who bowls off-spin and is also a handy bat. 

Australia, on the other hand, will be missing the services of Steve Smith, who is ruled out due to a concussion. Apart from Smith, the hosts will also miss key bowlers due to rotation policy. Jhye Richardson who was initially left out to manage his workload might be in for a return and so could be Mitchell Starc who missed the previous match for similar reasons.