New Delhi

Sri Lanka's batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst G T Niroshan have tested positive for COVID-19 on return from the United Kingdom, which has forced Sri Lanka Cricket to extend the hard quarantine period from the stipulated three days.

''Yes, the series will now start from 17th of July instead of 13th. The decision was taken in consultation with SLC keeping the safety and security of players in mind,'' a senior BCCI official told PTI, confirming the development.

As per the original schedule, the series was to start with the ODI leg on July 13, followed by matches on July 16 and July 18. The T20I games were scheduled for July 21, July 23 and July 25. While Niroshan's conformation was given on Friday, Sri Lanka's batting coach Flower tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, 48 hours after the squad's arrival from England.

All the other players who are quarantining have also been tested.

Before testing negative, Sri Lanka's squad had faced an anxious wait for the results of their PCR tests on returning home, following a COVID-19 outbreak in the England squad after the final match of their tour in Bristol on Sunday.

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