Press Box Closed For Operations After Sri Lanka Cricket Employee Tested Covid-19 Positive

Jul 26, 2021 at 1:20 PM

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Press Box Closed For Operations After Sri Lanka Cricket Employee Tested Covid-19 Positive

Press Box was closed for operations after a Sri Lanka Cricket employee working in the Press Box of R Premadasa Stadium – the venue of the ongoing India-Sri Lanka T20I series – tested positive for coronavirus.

After a Covid positive was detected in a Sri Lanka Cricket employee working in the press box, operations at R Premadasa Stadium (RPS) press box were closed during the first T20I between Sri Lanka and India. Though the SLC employee was detected positive before the commencement of the T20I game, the contest between India and Sri Lanka continued without any hassles.

India Tour of Sri Lanka: R Premadasa Stadium's press box closed after Covid positive case hours before IND vs SL 1st T20I
India Tour of Sri Lanka: R Premadasa Stadium’s press box closed after Covid positive case hours before IND vs SL 1st T20I

Press Box Closed For Operations After A SLC Employee Tested Covid-19 Positive

SLC announced the news via a press release late Sunday evening after the series-opening T20I between the two teams got underway in Colombo.

“The ‘Press Box’ at the RPICS was closed for operations during the 1st T20i between Sri Lanka and India, following an SLC employee working in the ‘Press Box’ was found to be Covid ‘Positive.’,” the release said.

The employee, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, was found to be Covid-19 positive during an Antigen Test carried out on Sunday evening, a few hours before the commencement of the first T20I.

“Upon identification, Sri Lanka Cricket decided to close the ‘Press Box’ operations during the 1st T20i game, as per the directions given by the Ministry of Health. The ‘Press Box’ is scheduled to resume operations from the 2nd T20i, of the India Tour of Sri Lanka, upon health clearance,” it added.

Sri Lanka Cricket(Photo credit: SLC Twitter)
Sri Lanka Cricket(Photo credit: SLC Twitter)

The employee is currently undergoing medical protocols pertaining to Covid 19. Premadasa Stadium also hosted the three ODIs for the recently concluded series between India and Sri Lanka which the former won 2-1.  The second and third T20I of the series will also be played at the same venue on July 27 and July 29 respectively.

The start of India’s ongoing tour of Sri Lanka was rearranged after a couple of members in the support staff of the home team tested positive for the deadly Covid-19 virus. The ODI series was to get underway from July 13 but was pushed forward by five days and finally started on July 18. Shikhar Dhawan is leading a young India squad that is being coached by batting legend Rahul Dravid.

Suryakumar Yadav Hits 50 While Varun Chakravarthy Impresses On Debut

Already one of India’s best batters in the ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav played the defining innings in the first T20I, producing the game’s only half-century – with 50 off 34. Sri Lanka was decent with the ball, containing India to 164 for 5, but their batting let them down once more.

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI)

Between the end of the 5th and 16th over, Sri Lanka scored only 69 runs and lost five wickets. Essentially, with the likes of debutant Varun Chakravarthy impressing, and Yuzvendra Chahal delivering another outstanding spell, Sri Lanka lacked the firepower to mount a serious challenge as they were dismissed for 126, losing the game by 38 runs.

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Press Box Closed For Operations After Sri Lanka Cricket Employee Tested Covid-19 Positive
Press Box Closed For Operations After Sri Lanka Cricket Employee Tested Covid-19 Positive

Jul 26, 2021, 1:20 PM


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