Match cancelled, Airline problems

by Elmo Rodrigopulle in the West Indies

CRICKET: Trinidad and Tobago, Saturday: The Sri Lankan cricketers after their victory in the first Test in Guyana flew into Trinidad, eagerly awaiting to play a three-day practice game against a West Indian 'A' team and fine tune their preparations for the second Test starting at queens Park Oval on April 3.

But to their disappointment, they were informed that the match has been cancelled owing to airline problems.

The match was to be played at Shaw Park in Tobago from March 29 to 31. A short release from the West Indian Cricket Board said: The planned tour match has been cancelled because of flight problems.

'The WICB apologises for any inconvenience caused. Sri Lanka will use the opportunity to do net practice at Shaw Park'.

But the management of Sri Lanka cricket here will not take no for an answer and are insisting that they be given a practice game as originally scheduled. According to Manager Srian Samararatne, Sri Lanka Cricket has asked that the original match arrangements stay. He has informed the WICB about this and at the time of writing the WICB has agreed to arrange a two day game beginning on Sunday.

'Even that is not certain, as they are looking for players to make a team', said the manager. 'We were looking to give Kumar Sangakkara and a couple of other batsmen a long work out in the middle.

Also we wanted to see how paceman Ishara Amerasinghe would go on these wickets. It was a disappointment the attitude of the WICB, said, Samararatne. When I called Samararatne, he said that he has to keep Sri Lanka Cricketer informed of the developments'.

One can't understand the attitude of the WICB. This is a tour by a national team. A tour itinerary is arranged months ahead. So it is not cricket for the governing body here to make excuses and boldly cancel a match.

Sri Lanka Cricket must act and ask for an explanation from the WICB and also keep the International Cricket Council informed of the irresponsibility of the hosts.