Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of first T20I of the five-T20I series against Australia starting February 11. Mendis tested positive for the virus during a routine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on Monday (February 7) and is currently in isolation.
“Mendis was found to be positive during a routine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), conducted on Monday, 07th February. The result of the RAT was confirmed following a PCR test, which was conducted on the same day. Mendis is currently undergoing Covid-19 protocols and placed in isolation since Monday,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.
Earlier, pacer Nuwan Thushara, who is yet to make his debut tested positive for the virus before the departure to Australia. Along with Thushara, team’s trainer Dilshan Fonseka also contracted the virus. Both Thushara and Fonseka are likely to join the squad on February 10 after the completion of their mandatory quarantine.
It would have been the 27-year-old’ first T20I since June 2021 against England where he was suspended for one year for breaching bio-bubble protocols alongside Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka. It is unlikely that the right-handed batter will recover in time for the first T20I and will have to wait for his comeback T20I for few more days. Mendis has scored 538 runs from 29 T20Is at an average of 18.55 including five half-centuries.
Last month, the SLC lifted the one-year suspension off the three players. They were cleared to play domestic cricket with immediate effect whereas international return was subjected to their fitness. Out of three players, Dickwella is the only one missing from the T20I squad. Gunathilaka is also returning to the T20I squad and likely to feature in the opening game against Aaron Finch-led side.
After the completion of the five-T20I series on February 20, the Sri Lankan side will tour India for for two Tests followed by three T20Is to be played between February 25 to March 18. After the series, few players are likely to stay in India for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 which will kick off on March 27.
