Herath joins Bangladesh team after recovering from Covid-19

DHAKA - Bangladesh spin bowling coach Rangana Herath

finally joined the team ahead of the two-match Test series against New
Zealand after completing his 14-day quarantine.

   He was tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in New Zealand.

   "MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) facilities released me today and
now I'm so happy to be back with the team," Herath said in a video message
sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.

   "At the same time I had a kind of difficult two weeks with that
(quarantine) but I'm so glad to be back and looking forward to the tour. At
the same time, I must thank the BCB and New Zealand healthcare as they looked
after me very well."

   Eight other members of the Test squad comprising players and support staff
were asked to undergo extended quarantine as they were in close contact with
a Covid-positive patient who was flying with them from Malaysia to New
Zealand.

   There were doubts over the series going ahead after Bangladesh players
were sent to extended quarantine. However, all of them came back negative in
the test then and started practice session. But, since Herath had to complete
14-day quarantine.

   The Bangladesh players are currently in Tauranga for the last phase of
preparation. Due to the quarantine, they couldn't play the two-day intra-
squad match which was scheduled on December 22 and 23 but they will play a
two-day game against the New Zealand XI on December 28-29.

   The opening Test is at the Bay Oval in Tauranga starting on January 1
while the second Test will be played from January 9 at Hagley Oval,
Christchurch.BSS