The two-Test series between Sri Lanka and England which is part of the World Test Championship has been rescheduled in Sri Lanka for January next year, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva said yesterday.
“We are in the process of rescheduling the tours that have been postponed. England has been already rescheduled for the month of January next year but the dates have not been finalised,” said De Silva.
Joe Root’s Englishman were in the midst of playing their second warm-up match at the P Sara Oval in preparation for the two-Test series when the tour was abruptly called off.
“At the same time we are also looking at exploring the possibility of rescheduling postponed tours and looking at the windows which are available and alternatives too. South Africa is one of the tours which we are looking at rescheduling. We are engaged in discussions with the member countries and see how it can be planned out,” said De Silva.
South Africa was to tour Sri Lanka in June for three ODIs and three T20Is, but due to the corona virus pandemic that has affected sports around the world, the tour was postponed.
“There are also two other tours which are scheduled to take place with India and Bangladesh due to tour Sri Lanka in June-July and July-August respectively. We will explore the possibility of playing those two tours in another week or two,” De Silva said.
DOMESTIC CRICKET TO RESUME
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva said that with international cricket being postponed gave them time to complete the domestic cricket program.
“We still have the time to play our domestic tournaments because international tournaments are being postponed. That gives us time to complete our domestic season,” said De Silva.
“We have to keep the domestic tournaments going in preparation for the international matches at least by the end of the year or early next year. The players have to be in form and even selection will be based on their performances,” he said.
“The domestic season was to end by March but has been suspended due to the corona virus. The final round of the SLC Major Tier A and B competitions can be played within a month followed by the provincial tournaments where the level of competition is high.”
De Silva said that SLC has been discussing the processes to follow in the event of recommencing practices for the national cricketers and the domestic competitions.
“We have been discussing getting precautions for the players in the event they are called for practice. We have to work with the health authorities and get their clearance and also inform clubs about the measures that they themselves should take in checking the players and ensuring that there is no threat to the public,” said De Silva.
“Two days ago we discussed about getting some of the testing equipment to Khettarama and work with the Sports Ministry medicine unit to get the players tested because they have the machines or whatever for testing.
"That is in the event we start practicing or getting the players for training. We are watching the situation. “The next two weeks or so will give us an indication of where we are heading. First thing is normalcy must be restored and the curfew lifted. Then we can think of other necessary precautionary measures to be taken,” Mohan de Silva said.
Ashley de Silva said, “Yesterday (Wednesday) we had a chat with the Sports Ministry medical division doctor Dr Lakshman and he is in the process of doing a plan for us to kind of introduce after the situation improves. Hopefully we should have the plan either today or tomorrow.”
Explaining what the plan is De Silva said: “We want to start playing domestic cricket and also for the players to start training.
The tests to be carried out as there are about 1000 people to be tested. He will draw up a plan and advise us how this should be conducted.
We had internal discussions and once the situation improves we will take it from there.”
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