By BIPIN DANI
Finally the former Sri Lanka captain Kusal Janith Perera, who last month had become a victim of the Covid-19 has joined the team hotel after being tested negative on Thursday evening.
He attended his first training session on Friday, it is also learnt.
“Perera had his first batting practice at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. He was accompanied by the team’s batting coach Grant Flower”, the source at the Stadium said exclusively over the telephone on Saturday monring.
The 31-year-old wicket-keeper batsman is selected in the 22-member squad for the ODI and the T-20I matches against the visiting South African team, but due to the covid restrictions he till Friday he was unable to train with the team.
“He need not be in a strict quarantine now and can move around in the hotel, however, can’t mingle with the other players or other support staff” one of the sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board said.
Perera is likely to have watched (on TV) the South Africa batting from his hotel room. Among the 22 selected, the other five players who did not board a bus and did not go to the ground were : Pathum Nissanka, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, and Maheesh Theekshana.
As per the ICC and the health ministry guidelines, only 16 players are allowed to occupy the dressing room.
Wives of two players were allowed to be present at the ground. Captain Dasun Shanaka’s wife Chewanthi Perera and Dinesh Chandimal’s wife Ishika Jayasekara watched the victory from the special enclosure at the ground. Bowling coach Chaminda Vaas’ wife prefered to stay at the hotel.
The victorious team was given an off-day on Friday. Obviously the coach Mickey Arthur and all team members were delighted after the win. Arthur in his speech also has asked the team members to retain the winning momentum.
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