Kusal Perera Tests Covid-19 Positive And Is Likely To Miss ODI And T20Is Against Proteas

Aug 16, 2021 at 5:55 PM

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Kusal Perera Tests Covid-19 Positive And Is Likely To Miss ODI And T20Is Against Proteas

Kusal Perera has tested positive for COVID-19, which has put his participation in next month’s series against South Africa in jeopardy after missing the limited-overs series against India due to injury.

Kusal Perera, who led Sri Lanka in England earlier this year, sprained his shoulder and was ruled out of the entire limited-overs series against India. All-rounder Dasun Shanka led the side in Kusal Perera’s absence, defeating the Men in Blue in the three-match T20I series by 2-1 and winning 1 game in the ODIs too.

Kusal Perera. (Credits: Twitter)
Kusal Perera. (Credits: Twitter)

Kusal Perera Underwent Mandatory RT-PCR Tests Which Revealed He Contracted Covid-19

Meanwhile, in a bid to return to training, Kusal Perera underwent mandatory RT-PCR tests, which revealed that the cricketer had contracted the deadly virus. It will likely keep the southpaw out of the all-important series against South Africa leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup, set to take place in the UAE and Oman in October-November.

The 30-year-old Kusal Perera has so far represented Sri Lanka in 22 Tests, 107 ODIs, and 50 T20Is, scoring 5595 runs across formats, including eight centuries. Although Kusal Perera is no longer captain, having been replaced in that role by Dasun Shanaka following the contracts standoff between the players and the board, he remains one of Sri Lanka’s key batters in the top order.

Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka was among the first to agree to sign Sri Lanka Cricket's tour contracts for India series PA Images via Getty Images
Dasun Shanaka was among the first to agree to sign Sri Lanka Cricket’s tour contracts for India series PA Images via Getty Images

He is, in addition, the team’s primary wicketkeeping option, with Niroshan Dickwella still suspended over his breach of the team bio-bubble, in Durham. Kusal Perera’s probable absence, as well as that of Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, and Danushka Gunathilaka will mean Sri Lanka will field almost the same second-string team which did well in the recently concluded series against India.

The likes of Lahiru Udara, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, Kasun Rajitha, Ishan Jayaratne, Minod Bhanuka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa may get chances.

South Africa’s Faf Du Plessis Not Included In T20I And ODI Squads

The Proteas are scheduled to play the Islanders in three ODIs, starting September 2. The second and the third ODIs will take place on September 4 and 7 respectively, followed by three T20Is on September 10, 12, and 14. All matches will be played in a bio-secure bubble at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka
South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Gallo Images)

Meanwhile, South Africa has announced their squad for the upcoming series. Former skipper Faf du Plessis, who withdrew from The Hundred due to a concussion injury he suffered during PSL 2021, has been left out of the squad.

 Dwaine Pretorius has returned to both squads while Junior Dala has been included in the ODI squad.

South Africa ODI squad– Temba Bavuma (c), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassies Van Der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, George Linde, Junior Dala, and Dwaine Pretorius.

South Africa T20I squad– Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kafia Rabi, Basi Benjadara.

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