New Zealand Health Ministry directs Bangladesh team to quarantine again, training sessions delayed

While the health ministry of New Zealand has asked the Bangladesh team to not take part in any practice sessions until December 21, the visitors have also been asked to quarantine again due to the fact that Rangana Herath, their spin bowling coach, has tested positive for COVID-19.

As another person on their Christchurch-bound aircraft also tested positive, eight other members of the Test squad, consisting of players and support staff, are already in isolation. Although the rest of the squad did go for training on Thursday, they were all asked to compulsorily complete a three-day room quarantine once again, by the New Zealand health authorities, because of their proximity to their spin bowling coach on the flight. Since reaching New Zealand on December 10, this is the second time they will have to quarantine.

Thus, as their training is further delayed, they now have created a new schedule for their practise sessions. The Bangla Tigers are scheduled to play two practise matches before the first Test, which is all set to commence on the first day of 2022.

Herath is fine now and he is recovering gradually: Bangladesh team manager

Nafees Iqbal, the Bangladesh team manager, gave several updates about the current scenario. He spoke about how Bangladesh had to cancel their practice sessions, and follow the orders of the New Zealand government. He also spoke about Herath’s health.

“We were permitted to practice yesterday (December 16) but today we were forced to cancel our practice as per orders from New Zealand Government. “We have done three Covid tests so far and there is still one to go and we will get released if everyone gets negative results in the next test on the ninth day of quarantine,” said Nafees Iqbal. Fortunately, the former Sri Lankan spinner is fine, and is gradually recovering.

“Herath is fine now and he is recovering gradually. Our team is in contact with him on a regular basis and hopefully, we will get him soon with us,” he added. Thus, this means that the scheduled intra-squad practise match which was scheduled to begin on December 22 might be changed. However, Before the Test series between the two sides, the visitors are expected to play a two-day practice match against New Zealand A from December 28, and that is highly unlikely to change.