Sri Lanka to delay home series v India after Covid-19 cases

India's limited-overs series in Sri Lanka has been delayed by four days after two Covid-19 infections were detected in the home team contingent, according to media reports on Saturday.

Batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst GT Niroshan tested positive for the new coronavirus soon after their return from England on Tuesday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement on Friday.

Three English players and four staff members tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, forcing them to field an entirely new squad for their home series against Pakistan.

The Times of India newspaper reported the first of Sri Lanka's three one-dayers against India, originally scheduled for Tuesday, would now be played on 17 July instead.

The ESPNcricinfo website said the remaining ODIs would be played on 19 and 21 July and the subsequent three-match T20 series would begin on 24 July.

SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The SLC on Friday also postponed the Lanka Premier League, which was to begin on 30 July, to November/December, citing cricket's packed calendar.