Sri Lanka batting coach Grant Flower refused vaccination provided by SLC, requested for Pfizer

The Sri Lanka team batting coach Grant Flower was one of the members of the squad who tested positive for COVID-19. He was among the contingent that had gone to England for the limited-overs series, and upon arrival to the island nation, tested positive for the virus. 

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The latest reports suggest that he was offered the first dose of the vaccine but had refused to take it. This is because he wished to take the Pfizer vaccine instead of the one which was provided to the players and all other support staff by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). 

The ex-Zimbabwean player didn’t want to take the vaccines which were produced in China or Russia because he feared he would be allowed into his country only if he takes Pfizer. This piece of information was confirmed by the SLC secretary Mohan de Silva to Daily Mirror. It was also reported that SLC will be providing Flower with a Pfizer vaccine once he recovers from COVID and is ready to take the vaccine. 

The white-ball tour of England ended on July 4. Upon arrival, the batting coach was tested positive. This news came on the back of seven squad members of the England team testing positive for COVID-19. It has been said that Flower had tested positive after he spent some days in isolation after entering Sri Lanka. 

Due to this, the Sri Lankan team was advised to serve an extended period of quarantine. This has resulted in delaying the start of the India series, which was supposed to begin on July 13 but will now start on July 18 in Colombo.