Rain ruins third day’s play

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE from the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium

Overnight rain followed by a persistent drizzle throughout the day forced umpires Asad Rauff and Richard Kettlebrough to call off play without a ball being bowled on the fourth day of the Second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka here today.

When the teams, umpires and the media arrived at the ground they were greeted with the covers still on the ground covered with water, a cloud cover hovering over and a persistent drizzle and the possibility of there being any play was out of the question. It was a frustrating wait. The umpires had no option of calling off the game early, because ICC rules stipulate that a game can be called off only if the umpires are convinced that there is no possibility of play due to ground conditions not permitting play.

On the fourth day of play, the media were getting restless because there was only a slight drizzle with overcast conditions but no threat of a storm that could convince the umpires that play is impossible.

Speaking to the media manager Brian Thomas, stated that with the current conditions the umpires will have to hold on till 3.05pm before calling off play which they ultimately did much to everyone’s relief.

The first three days did not allow full play and with not a ball being on the fourth day, the game is consigned to a draw.

The only remote possibility of a decision being reached is for the Lankans to get the last five visitors wickets for below 23 more runs and enforce the follow on.

Cricket is a funny game and coupled with its glorious uncertainties anything is possible. – Khettarama, Friday

Scores – Sri Lanka 387 for 9 dec. West Indies 165 for 5.