Rain continues to dog tri-series by Sa’adi Thawfeeq

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Event:

Unitech Cup 2006

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DateLine: 16th August 2006

 

The Unitech Cup one-day tri-series continued to be dogged by bad weather when the match between hosts Sri Lanka and India was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday due to a wet outfield. There was a big improvement in weather conditions compared to that over the past few days and chances of the series getting off the ground looked promising up to the afternoon when the sun came out to dry patches of the outfield which had taken a battering from the rains in the past few days. But light rain returned to force the ground staff to bring back the covers minutes before the two umpires Aleem Dar of Pakistan and Tyronne Wijewardene of Sri Lanka were due to inspect the ground conditions at 2.30 p.m. (local time).

 

The tournament that was due to commence on Monday (August 14) has been stalled by bad weather. The opening match between Sri Lanka and South Africa scheduled to be the curtain- raiser on Monday was rescheduled for August 29 because of the inclement weather.

 

Sri Lanka Cricket’s national curator Anuruddha Polonowita said that the umpires would make an inspection of the ground tomorrow (Thursday) at 11.30 a.m. (local time) and decide whether the Sri Lanka-India match can be played. A day has been kept in reserve for all the matches as an insurance against bad weather.

 

Polonowita also indicated that if ground conditions at the Premadasa Stadium do not improve from what it is right now, there was a possibility of the last three matches in the series including the final being shifted to the SSC grounds. This is a decision that the Sri Lanka Cricket officials will take into serious consideration within the next few days.

 

The ground conditions and facilities at the SSC are far more reliable than at the Premadasa Stadium although all the matches will have to be day games.

 

Polonowita said the television company that has the rights to televise the matches has also shown an inclination for a change of venue to get the matches started. Ten Sports are due to pay SLC a sum of USD 11 million after securing the television and broadcasting rights for the series.