International sport has come to a standstill in the wake of the rising pandemic that is the novel Coronavirus. Most of the tournaments around the world including the NBA and La Liga have been either postponed or suspended for an indefinite period, while some- India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand ODI series- are scheduled to be played inside closed doors.

On the cricketing front, the Road Safety World Series involving former cricketers and the upcoming Australia Women tour of South Africa has also been suspended. And, if the reports are to be believed England Men’s Test tour of Sri Lanka may also come into jeopardy, in the wake of the rising threat.

England is mulling over cancelling the Sri Lankan Test tour with more than 3000 fans set to travel the island nation. The visitors have taken plenty of measures including the employment of fist bumps and having a ‘two-meter’ exclusive zone with media to then imposing a ban on autographs and selfies with fans.

Test series between England and Sri Lanka might get called off

The major concerns for the authorities are that with more than 3000 English supporters set to travel to Sri Lanka is that the affected England fans could accelerate the spread of the virus in a country that has remained largely unaffected by the novel pandemic thus far.

“We are in regular contact with the Sri Lankan and British High Commission in addition to Sri Lanka Cricket around the Test matches,” an ECB spokesperson was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

“At this stage, the series is planned to continue but we want to stress that this is a highly evolving situation and circumstances are changing rapidly, sometimes several times a day. We urge fans who are considering travelling to consult with the current British and Sri Lankan government advice and to continue to do this up until the point of travel and, for the duration of the trip,” the spokesman added.

Another option that is being mulled is to play the rubber behind closed doors just like India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand are doing. However, if the two-match Test series- which starts on Thursday in Galle- efforts will be made to reschedule it before the culmination of the first cycle of the ICC Test championship.