SL vs AUS | Praveen Jayawickrama found Covid-19 positive ahead of second Test

Sri Lanka spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the second Test against Australia, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board said on Monday (July 4).

The SLC released an official update in which they stated that Jayawickrama has returned positive for COVID-19 after going through the rounds of tests.

"Praveen Jayawickrama has tested positive for COVID-19. The player was found to be Covid positive when he was tested (Rapid Antigen Test) this morning, as he complained of feeling Unwell," stated the official SLC release.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews was the first person from both sides to be ruled out on the third morning of the first Test in Galle due to COVID-19, and Jayawickrama is the second Sri Lankan player after Mathews to get infected with the virus. 

Mathews is currently recovering from the illness, though SLC is hopeful of him being passed fit for the second Test, which means only Jayawickrama will be unavailable for the decider Test of the series, which Australia currently leads by 1-0.

The release further said that Jayawickrama was immediately put in isolation from the rest of the squad members, and he'll not have to remain in mandatory room isolation for five days. SLC also confirms that no other member has been found positive for COVD-19 and all of them returned with negative results.

SL have a replacement ready for Jayawickrama

Uncapped spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage, who had impressed in the ODI series against Australia and ended it as the leading wicket-taker, is on the list of standby players and can be added to the squad in Jayawickrama's place for the second Test.

Jayawickrama didn't play the first Test as Sri Lanka opted to go with the spin trio of spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Ramesh Mendis. Of those three, left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya struggled the most, going wicketless and bowling just 15 overs in the entire match. 

It was speculated that Sri Lanka could bring in Jayawickrama as a like-to-like replacement for the out of form Embuldeniya but since he returned positive, Embuldeniya is expected to retain his spot in the playing eleven.