SL vs BAN: Groundsman at Pallekele tests positive for COVID-19

A groundsman at the Pallekele stadium in Sri Lanka has tested positive for COVID-19. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are playing the first Test match at the same venue. The groundsman along with nine other individuals who have come in contact with him have been put in the isolation. 

"A temporary worker, who reported to work, was found positive during regular testings we do before they enter the venue. Once he was found positive, he along with nine of his first contacts were sent to follow regular health protocols,'' Prasanna Rodrigo, media manager of SLC, confirmed to Cricbuzz.

The series between the two sides was scheduled to take place in July last year but was postponed due to pandemic.  It was then re-scheduled in October-November but it didn’t go forward as the Bangladesh side was not ready too comply the 14-day quarantine regulation in the island country. 

The first Test between the two teams began on Wednesday. Bangladesh after batting first, compiled a massive score of 541/7 (D), courtesy some fine batting from Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain and captain Mominul Haque. While Hossain and Haque notched up individual tons, Tamim scored 90 runs in the first innings. 

Apart from these three batsmen, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das also chipped in with individual fifties. Vishwa Fernando picked up four wickets in the first innings for the home side. 

Later, the hosts had a decent start to the pursuit as they ended the third day’s proceedings at 229/3. Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten at 85 while Lahiru Thirimane had scored a half-century before getting out. 

The second match is also scheduled to take place at the same venue from April 29. 


 

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