Bangladesh camp in New Zealand heaved a sigh of relief Thursday after all the cricketers of the touring squad tested Covid-19 negative in the third round of testing, and were allowed to begin training ahead of their two-match Test series against the home side.
The visiting side received a scare when spin bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive for the novel coronavirus in New Zealand, while the isolation period of nine members of the Bangladesh contingent, including four players, was increased by a few days after close contact with a positive Covid-19 case on their flight.
Bangladesh team had to undergo a seven-day quarantine after arriving in the island country and following three rounds of negative results the available players are eager to start training, said team director Khaled Mahmud.
"There is good news from here (Thursday). Everyone tested Covid-19 negative in the results. We have been allowed to begin training. We were discussing (Wednesday) our training methods. We will go into isolation in the team hotel from the quarantine center (Friday). Those whose isolation period was increased, will stay at the center till (Monday). When we leave for team hotel, they will be able to avail the gym. They will check in to the hotel and join the rest of the team (Tuesday). Herath is isolating in the center separately. Everyone else is healthy," said Mahmud in a video message.
Despite being allowed to train, Bangladesh team were deprived by the weather as incessant rain intervened proceedings at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, consigning the touring side to the gym.
Bangladesh will play two Tests against the Kiwis which is part of the World Test Championship.
The first Test will begin on January 1 at Mount Manganui while the second and final Test will start on January 9 in Christchurch.