The BCCSL presented the following revised draw to the three participating countries, Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand:
June 28 - India v New Zealand at Galle International Stadium
June 29 - India v New Zealand at SSC
June 30 - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at SSC
July 1 - Rest day
July 2 - India v New Zealand at SSC
July 3 - Sri Lanka v India at SSC
July 4 - Rest day
July 5 - Sri Lanka v India at R. Premadasa Stadium
July 6 - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium
July 7 - Rest day, July 8 - Final at R. Premadasa Stadium
Sri Lanka and New Zealand agreed on the revised draw, but India were not in favour of it, and wanted to stick to the original schedule.
Reasons for refusal
``We have our reasons for refusing. Some of our players have got other commitments, so playing the final on July 9 on the additional day is out of the question. Rescheduling the matches and playing two consecutive days of cricket under hot and humid conditions will be taxing the players, said Indian team manager Venkat Sundaram yesterday.
``Playing three additional matches would mean altering the playing conditions. We will have to go back to the Indian Cricket Board to get clearance,'' said Sundaram.
``If it rains it would negate the whole thing. There is not much difference in points among the three teams and we wouldn't want to take the risk'', he said.
Disappointing
``It's rather disappointing. It is not in keeping with the spirit of the game,'' said one high ranking BCCSL official.
``All our efforts were brought to naught by India's refusal. We got clearance from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to alter the original draw and even the ICC match referee Cammie Smith was in agreement, provided all three teams agreed to the change,'' he said.
Heavy rains and strong winds have forced three matches in the triangular to be abandoned, and the chances of a fourth washout could not be ruled out in the game between India and New Zealand scheduled to commence at the Galle International Stadium today.
India and Sri Lanka are leading the points table with four points each, with New Zealand having two points from three matches. Sri Lanka have played four matches and India three.