Covid hits Sri Lanka camp during Australia Test

Sri Lanka have suffered a blow midway through the second Test against Australia with news that opener Pathum Nissanka has tested positive for Covid-19.

Nissanka tested positive on Sunday morning via an Antigen test and a PCR test later that day confirmed the diagnosis.

The right-hander was immediately taken to a different hotel to isolate and will sit out the remainder of the second Test in Galle while he completes Covid-19 protocols, with his place in Sri Lanka's XI to be taken by Oshada Fernando.

Nissanka scored just six during Sri Lanka's first innings before he edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to gully and was superbly caught by Cameron Green.

It means Sri Lanka have now lost five players to Covid prior or during this Test match, with all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando, spin duo Jeffrey Vandersay and Praveen Jayawickrama and now Nissanka all missing.