Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka could be at the centre of a Covid-19 breach in the Sri Lanka camp, after a video emerged on social media capturing Dickwella and Mendis in a public place in Durham.
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All three players are part of the touring 24-member Sri Lanka squad in England for the ongoing limited-overs series. According to ESPNcricinfo, the trio has been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket, and will be flown home immediately.
The video emerged soon after the news that five match officials for the ODI series beginning June 29 will be forced to self-isolate. This was after Phil Whittcase, the match referee, tested positive for Covid-19 during routine testing.
Familiar faces in Durham tonight, enjoying their tour! Obviously not here to play cricket, this video was taken at 23.28 Sunday. Disappointing performance by these cricket players but not forgetting to enjoy their night at Durham. RIP #SrilankaCricket #KusalMendis #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/eR15CWHMQx
— Nazeer Nisthar (@NazeerNisthar) June 28, 2021
In the amateur video, captured by an onlooker from a vehicle, Dickwella and Mendis are seen on a deserted square at night, chatting with each other without masks. Gunathilaka is not seen in the video, but is said to have travelled wth them. The caption suggests that the video was taken at 11.28pm on Sunday, June 27. Both Dickwella and Mendis were part of the Sri Lanka XI for the third T20I on June 26.
Covid-19 cases have been on a steady rise in the UK since mid-May owing to the Delta variant, with Durham City recording 322 daily cases as on June 27, with an increase of 91 per cent in cases over the last seven days.
Sri Lanka suffered convincing defeats in the three T20Is that preceded the ODI leg of the tour. The first one-dayer will be held at Chester-Le-Street.
