Inclement weather holds the key

Sa'adi Thawfeeq reporting from Galle

27 June 1998


The inclement weather holds the key to making the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy cricket tournament a success or a farce.

It has already taken toll of the last two games, forcing them to end in no results with the participating teams, Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand sharing points.

The fifth game in the 10-match tournament is scheduled to commence at the Galle International Stadium today between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. But looking at the amount of water the ground has taken, a scheduled start is unlikely. If at all there is going to be play, it will probably be after noon. The latest time the umpires can push the match is till 2.30 p.m. when a minimum of 25 overs can be bowled by either side.

The weather showed some signs of clearing yesterday and the ground staff were working round the clock to avoid another washout at this venue. The Sri Lanka-India game ended in that manner on Thursday with each team collecting a point.

India are currently leading the standings with four points from three games, followed by Sri Lanka with three points from the same number of matches. New Zealand bring up the rear with a solitary point from two games.

The second round of matches will be completed on Tuesday when India take on New Zealand here. Then all three teams return to Colombo to play the final leg at the SSC. The final is scheduled for July 7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium under lights.

The Sri Lanka team unable to get any outdoor activity confined themselves to do some stretching exercises besides the hotel swimming pool and empty spaces around it. The New Zealand team arrived yesterday, but were unable to undertake any physical training on the ground, as repair work was in progress.

The Cricket Board has announced that tickets purchased for Thursday's washed out game, would be valid for today.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 27 Jun1998 - 06:16