It's back. Just when Sri Lankan cricket thought it had protected itself against a mid-series slump in Kandy, by switching around the schedule and playing the second Test in Colombo, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have forced last minute changes to schedule, leaving suppositious fans worrying about the "Kandy Hoodoo" striking once more.
Three times in three tours, against South Africa, England and India, the home team has slipped up in the second Test in Kandy, having won the first Test convincingly in Galle: South Africa were able to draw the series, England went on to win theirs, whilst Sri Lanka eventually re-asserted themselves against India to win their first series for 16-months.
The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), considering that West Indies were at one time doubtful tourists, had no choice but to accept the WICB request, which had resulted from announcement of the General Elections.
Kandy is a notoriously politicised town, frequently beset by election violence, and the West Indies, quite reasonably in fact, decided that they would prefer to experience the race to the polls from the comfort and safety of their luxurious Colombo hotel than the unpredictable hill country capital.
According to the revised itinerary the final Test will be played at SSC from 29 November to 3 December. The General Election is scheduled for 5 December. There is a two-day break before and after the elections.
The two one-day practice matches previously scheduled to be played in St Anthony's College, Kandy, have also been cancelled. West Indies will not play a practice match at all and Zimbabwe will play two warm up games on 1 and 3 December in Colombo.
The WICB also requested greater rest between the Test Matches than the two-day break than had been proposed, apparently citing the shaky fitness of their players and fast bowler based orientation of the side as justification. Again, the BCCSL acquiesced and all the Test Matches of the series have been moved forward by one day.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Cricket Union (ZCU), requested a second practice match, which will now be played from 27-29 December at Police Park, Colombo. The three-match Test series has been moved back six days to accommodate the extra practice. It will now start on 2 January.
© CricInfo
| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Tours | West Indies in Sri Lanka |
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