Sri Lanka head coach, batsman test positive for COVID-19, casting doubt over upcoming West Indies tour

Sri Lankan national coach Mickey Arthur and a cricketer tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s cricket board said on Wednesday, casting concerns over the forthcoming West Indies tour to Sri Lanka.

Top-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and 52-year-old Arthur were found to have been infected with COVID-19 after Sri Lanka’s 36-member squad had been screened in 2 weeks’ time before their scheduled departure.

“Considering the current situation, Sri Lanka Cricket is exploring the possibility of rescheduling the tour of West Indies, which was scheduled to commence on Feb 20,” the governing body said in a statement.

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This is the first time that players of the national cricket team have been found positive for COVID-19. At least 65,700 people in the Indian Ocean Island have been diagnosed with the infection, with 330 dead.

Sri Lanka held a two-game test series against England in Galle last month with no spectators as part of stringent health regulations to avoid the spread of the disease.

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Sri Lanka were to play 2 Tests, 3 one-day internationals and 3 T20 matches from March 2 to the end of the month as part of the West Indies tour.