BIPIN DANI
There were no customary hand-shakes after the Sri Lanka-Ireland match on Sunday. It was a “wise” decision, according to the chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) medical panel.
Prof. Arjuna de Silva was “little surprised” when he found all-rounder George Dockrell’s name in the playing eleven. On Sunday, the 30-year-old Ireland all-rounder Dockrell, who was tested Covid-19 positive played the Group 1 (D/N) ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo on Sunday, he said, “The ICC allowed this scenario with the new guidelines. As long as the positive result is declared and the biosafety committee agrees then I think it is fine that a Covid positive player with no or minimal symptoms can play”.
“As a rule any player with fever should not be playing a match as we know of the potential of having a viral myocarditis even though the risk is low. This is a good rule to follow. The important lesson is to trust science as science works and follow the latest guidelines. We have come a long way since the start of the pandemic”.
“However, sportingly, our team management didn’t object to his playing. Dockrell is a slow left-arm spinner. If the player is a fast bowler and has a viral infection and fever, it’s best that he should not be allowed to play”, Professor added.
Expectedly and as per the new ICC norms, no player, including Dockrell, has been using saliva on the ball to shine it.
“It (permanent ban on saliva) is an excellent rule. Using saliva to polish anything is archaic and unhygienic. Covid is not the only disease that can be transmitted like that. We must take the good lessons from Covid forward”.
Incidentally, Arjuna de Silva will travel to Australia on Tuesday for the remaining World Cup matches.
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