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COLOMBO, May 14: Cricket fever peaked in the island today as the world champions clashed with the hosts in the inaugural match of the World Cup at Lord's. Offices wore a deserted look and traffic on the streets of the capital was thin as cricket-crazy Sri Lankans returned home early to watch their heroes defend the title. People were glued to the television sets as a private television channel began live telecast of the inaugural function followed by the match.

Large crowds gathered around television sets put up outside shops selling electronic goods and business establishments for the benefit of people who could not return home in time to watch the opening match. Some community centres had also arranged for television sets to be set up in public places and on roadsides. Those who could not watch television carried transistors and tuned in to the commentary broadcast by local radio stations.

The day began with headlines in newspapers asking whether Sri Lanka would be able to defend the title of world champions. Cricket correspondents of local newspapers reporting from England speculated on the possibility of their team's success. Radio and television stations interviewed people who expressed confidence that their team would retain the World Cup.