India-Sri Lanka series called off, triangular next year
Colombo, Aug 20 : The rain-hit three-match India-Sri Lanka one-day international series has been called off, considering the forecast of more rains, Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) CEO Duleep Mendis said here Sunday.
“Yes, the series has been called off officially,” Mendis, a former Test player, told IANS.
The decision was taken after an executive committee meeting of SLC.
SLC media manager Samantha Algama said that a triangular series, involving India and South Africa, would be played next year.
“A triangular series will be played between Sri Lanka, India and South Africa next year, but the time of the series is still not decided,” Algama told IANS.
The series is expected to be played after the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies in April-May.
The India-Sri Lanka series was arranged after South Africa pulled out of the triangular Unitech Cup series, involving India and Sri Lanka, because of security concerns after bomb blast killed seven people near their hotel here Monday.
The triangular series was to start that day with a South Africa-Sri Lanka match, but the Proteas’ security concerns and unplayable ground conditions combined to make it a non-starter.
The India-Sri Lanka series matches were to be played Aug 18, 20 and 22.
Only 22 deliveries were possible in the first match Friday and rains prevented play Saturday, the reserve day when the match was to be continued.
The second match Sunday was also washed out, before the series was cancelled.
Indian coach Greg Chappell termed the lack of cricket as “frustrating”.
“It is very frustrating. It was disappointing to be here and not playing any cricket,” he said two hours before the series was cancelled.
India next plays a seven-match triangular series with Australia and the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sep 12-24.
This series is seen as a warm-up to the Champions Trophy to be played in India in October-November.
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