Kusal Mendis tests positive for COVID; likely to miss T20I opener v Australia

Legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga at practice with Sri Lanka pacemen Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka wicket-keeper/batsman Kusal Mendis’ chances of playing in the curtain-raiser match of the five-match T20 International series against Australia at Sydney on Friday has been thrown in doubt after he was tested positive for COVID-19.

A Sri Lanka Cricket media release states: “Mendis was found to be positive during a routine Rapid

Kusal Mendis

Antigen Test (RAT), conducted on Monday, 7 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 has been placed in isolation since Monday.”

Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lanka white ball captain said that in the likelihood of Mendis being unable to play, Dinesh Chandimal would take over as wicket-keeper. Sri Lanka has three wicket-keepers in their 20-member squad with uncapped Kamil Mishara being the third.

“We are not sure of Kusal Mendis’ condition so Chandimal has a good chance of keeping wickets,” said Shanaka in a virtual media conference yesterday.

Two other players who were tested COVID-19 positive and have recovered, fast bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne and uncapped fast bowler Nuwan Thushara are both available for selection according to Shanaka.

With no practice matches arranged ahead of the T20I series, Sri Lanka had to make do with their squad of 20 players for practices.  

“Preparations have been good, we had some good practice sessions today (Tuesday) and we had a match scenario which went off very well. There is a bit of rain but we hope it will clear away by the time the matches begin,” said Shanaka.

Helping Sri Lanka in their practices is white ball fast bowling legend Lasith Malinga who is with the team in the capacity of Bowling Strategy coach for the tour.  

“We are getting a great lot of help from him, there is a lot to learn from a player who has gone to the level he has. He has been in situations and how he has handled them is valuable to the team. He has a good record as captain and it is a big boon to have a player of Malinga’s stature,” said Shanaka.

On the challenge posed by Australia who are the reigning T20 World Cup champs, Shanaka said: “Every international match is a challenge. We definitely have the resources to defeat Australia because we also have some match winners in our line-up. We have to give them the respect as World T20 champions. We are looking forward to giving them a good contest and winning.”

Sri Lanka are hoping to play the same combination they put out for the T20 World Cup in the UAE, despite the fact that the tracks in Australia will be fast and have bounce compared to the slow turning surfaces they encountered during the World Cup.

“Our spin combination will be Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. Maheesh keeps the runs down with the new ball and Wanindu attacks with the ball. It is important for both batsmen and bowlers to perform well so that they can get confidence when they play in the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. I believe it is a big plus point for us to play a series before the World Cup in Australia,” Shanaka said.

Interim head coach Rumesh Ratnayake who did not leave for Australia with the team last week after being tested COVID-19 positive has joined the team in Australia.