The quality of lights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium has come under the scanner. The eight light masts that are fitted with 20 bulbs in each tower are not adequate according to players. After bowling Sri Lanka to a thrilling win, speedster Lasith Malinga agreed that lights have been a problem here but the local side is used to it.
“It is not the best in the country but we have played so many times here and have got a hang of it. It can be difficult to bat under lights. Even our fielders had trouble in picking the ball,” said Malinga. Though Gautam Gambhir and M.S. Dhoni did not directly comment on the lights here, they said chasing will be a difficult proposition in the Asia Cup.
With the cross breeze providing the bowler the ammunition to move the ball appreciably, the task gets tougher in the evening. India did not have a huge target to chase against Bangladesh but Pakistan faltered against Sri Lanka while chasing 242.
ACC’s chief executive, Syed Ashraful Huq noted that a decision on the playing conditions has to be taken by the match referee. “I know there are a few complaints but I am not out there playing and I don’t know the exact situation. I am sure players will object if things are not clear and then it is the discretion of the ICC match referee from there,” added Ashraful.
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Change in Lanka Test series
June 17: The itinerary for India’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka has been changed to accommodate the team management’s request for a practice match before the first Test at the Galle International stadium.
Instead of playing the first Test from July 10 to 14, India now play Sri Lanka from July 18 to 22. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men will arrive in Colombo on July 10 and play a three-day match against the Sri lankan Board President’s before heading to Galle on July 15.
Revised itinerary:
July 12 - 14 : 3-day match; 1st Test: July 18-22, Galle; 2nd Test: July 26-30, SSC, Colombo; 3rd Test: August 3-7, P Sara Oval, Colombo. Tri-series: Aug 10-28: Dambulla.