Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of third match in Canberra after returning positive test, the third member of the touring party to do so
SL star tests positive just hours before third T20
Sri Lanka have been rocked by their third COVID-19 case in eight days after star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga tested positive on the morning of the third Dettol T20I against Australia.
Canberra's first men's international match of the summer is expected to proceed as scheduled tonight despite Sri Lanka Cricket confirming Hasaranga had joined Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando in contracting the virus during their five-match tour.
Player Update #AUSvSL🚨:Wanindu Hasaranga has tested positive for Covid-19.The player was found to be positive during a routine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted this morning (15th February).Hasaranga is currently undergoing Covid-19 protocols and is placed in isolation.— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 15, 2022
With Sri Lanka down 0-2 in the series, Mendis is expected to be available for selection for the Manuka Oval match after serving his seven-day isolation period, which started when he tested positive to RAT and PCR tests on February 7.
Fernando remains in isolation after he was found to have COVID on Saturday, the morning after the series opener in Sydney.
There are no indications yet that the virus has spread further – all players are submitting to daily tests – but the latest case is nonetheless a concern.
Sri Lanka also recorded two cases before leaving for Australia; Nuwan Thushara, the slinging paceman likened to Lasith Malinga who made his international debut on Sunday, and team trainer Dilshan Fonseka.
Their arrival into the country was delayed by a week.
The crafty Hasaranga is the world's top-ranked international T20 bowler and has been Sri Lanka's leading wicket-taker in the series so far, snaring five victims at 14.20 with an economy rate of 8.87.
Royal Challengers Bangalore forked out nearly $2million (AUD) for him during the weekend's Indian Premier League auction, underscoring his status as one of the game's most in-demand spinners and his country's standout limited-overs player.
The visitors' back-up leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay could be in line to replace Hasaranga for the third T20I, while off-spinner Ramesh Mendis is also in the squad behind incumbent tweaker Maheesh Theekshana.
Australia have selection decisions of their own to make ahead of tonight's clash. Steve Smith has been ruled out of the series with concussion, while they are likely to continue rotating their fast bowlers after Mitchell Starc was rested from the second T20.
Moises Henriques, Ashton Agar and Jhye Richardson are in contention for recalls.
Dettol T20 Series v Sri Lanka 2022
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head*, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa * unavailable for first three matches
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando
Game 1: Australia won by 20 runs (DLS)
Game 2: Australia won in a Super Over
February 15: Third T20, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
February 18: Fourth T20, MCG, 7.10pm AEDT
February 20: Fifth T20, MCG, 5.10pm AEDT
All matches broadcast exclusively on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports. Radio coverage by ABC Grandstand, Triple M and SEN