Coronavirus: England Test series in Sri Lanka called-off

‘England’s Test series against Sri Lanka has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

All players and staff will return to the UK as soon as possible following the the decision which has been taken in “unprecedented times”.

“The physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a statement.

The two-Test series was due to begin in Galle on Thursday, 19 March.

“We would like to thank our colleagues at Sri Lanka Cricket for their outstanding support and assistance throughout this situation,” the statement added.

“We look forward to returning to Sri Lanka in the near future to fulfil this important Test series.”

England’s four-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Board President’s XI side was abandoned on Friday, with the second’s day’s play already under way.’

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