Sri Lanka cricketers Kusal Mendis, Gunathilaka, Dickwella sent home after bio-bubble breach in UK

Sri Lanka cricketers, who breached the team’s bio-bubble and were casually seen roaming around a Durham marketplace, have been suspended and are being sent back home immediately, board’s secretary Mohan De Silva confirmed.

Images and videos of vice-captain Kusal Mendis and wicketkeeper-batsman emerged earlier in the day on social media and went viral. Danushka Gunathilaka, who was not seen in the video, has also been suspended.

Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan De Silva confirmed the news in a statement on Monday, 24 hours before the first ODI verus England in Durham.

“Sri Lanka Cricket executive Committee has suspended Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka & Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio- bubble and they will be immediately recalled to Sri Lanka,” De Silva said.

Familiar faces in Durham tonight, enjoying their tour! Obviously not here to play cricket, this video was taken at 23.28 Sunday. Disappointing performance by these cricket players but not forgetting to enjoy their night at Durham. RIP #SrilankaCricket #KusalMendis #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/eR15CWHMQx

— Nazeer Nisthar (@NazeerNisthar) June 28, 2021

Sri Lanka players were allowed to go out in Cardiff but in Durham the city was out of bounds because of the high number of Covid-19. Also, it is understood that the series is not in any jeopardy at this stage.

Earlier, ICC Match referee Phil Whitticase, who officiated in all the three T20I matches, tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Whitticase was “well and asymptomatic” but will remain in isolation for 10 days.

All the players and support staff members from both teams were declared safe but seven other members from the match officials and anti-corruption unit teams were sent into isolation for 10 days as they came in “close contact” with Whitticase.

Five of the seven officials were due to officiate in the first ODI between both sides on June 29 but there will be changes in the roster now.

Sri Lanka, who were whitewashed in the T20I series, are already facing criticisms from all quarters and the absence of the three first-choice players will dent their campaign further in the upcoming 3-match ODI series.

While Mendis registered scores of 9, 39 and 6 in the T20Is in Cardiff and Southampton, Dickwella managed 3 and 11 runs in the two matches he featured.

Kusal Perera’s team were comprehensively beaten by 8 wickets in the 1st T20I before again losing by 5 wickets and 89 runs in the last 2 fixtures.