‘Players Appreciate BCB’s Decision Regarding SL Tour’

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo reiterated that while the players may or may not have discussed whether Sri Lanka's quarantine protocols were appropriate, the players appreciated the role of the board on the issue as the series was temporarily called off.

For Domingo, psychologically and physically, the 14-day isolation would have placed the players on the backfoot ahead of a crucial sequence.

"A couple of our players have been in isolation for five and six days, showing some symptoms and they said it was really difficult. For me personally, locked up for 14 days in a small hotel room was very challenging," he said during an online press conference today.

Domingo informed the board that the decision to play or not play the series lay with the board under the proposed protocols. However, the players appreciated the move.

"There were discussions amongst some players I suppose, but ultimately it was a decision the board made after obviously discussing with a few people. There is no doubt that they made the right decision and the players appreciate that as disappointed as they are to not be playing the series.

"But the players also understand the mental issues of being locked up in an enclosed area for too long. It's different for everybody and some guys might be able to deal with it but if one or two guys have an issue then it's a problem," Domingo said.

For the Sri Lanka tour, the coaching staff have been here, but will now focus on individual aspects of the players while monitoring practice matches and maybe BCB-arranged tournaments in the near future. However, while group practices and preparation continue, the coaching workers still have to stay in a bubble. It was not easy for him or his staff to be away from the family, but he said the situation does not allow for much flexibility at the moment. "I have loved my first month back here. Good to be back in cricket and it would be nice to if we could get back into playing some serious cricket but it is what it is at the moment and we have to make the best out of what is a bad situation. So far everyone is happy, most of the families obviously but we also have to do a job to provide for our families, so just got to bite the bullet and do it," he said.