Sri Lanka lost by 6 wickets after being bowled out for 77 runs in their first match against South Africa in this year's T20 World Cup. After the match, the Lankans wanted to hold a press conference and other formalities quickly. What is the reason for Sri Lankan players in such a hurry?

SBS Desk

June 04, 2024

1 minute

CRICKET

Sri Lanka complained about the schedule

Sri Lanka lost by 6 wickets after being bowled out for 77 runs in their first match against South Africa in this year's T20 World Cup. After the match, the Lankans wanted to hold a press conference and other formalities quickly. What is the reason for Sri Lankan players in such a hurry?

The distance from the Nassau Cricket Stadium in New York to their team hotel in Brooklyn is about an hour and a half. Go to the hotel and check out and catch the flight to Dallas again. Lankan captain Hasaranga and spinner Thikshana expressed their displeasure over the hectic schedule, accommodation and travel arrangements.

In this year's World Cup, out of the 20 teams in the tournament, only two teams will play their four matches in four different venues in the first round. One is Sri Lanka, the other is the Netherlands.

Lankans have to wait for 7 hours at Miami airport to play the match in New York. All in all, spinner Thikshana complained after the match. 'It is unfair to us. We have to run every day (after matches) because we will be playing at four different venues. It is unfair. From Florida, we had to wait about 8 hours at the airport to come from Miami. We were supposed to leave at 8pm. But the flight is at 5 am. It's really unfair.'

A busy schedule forced South Africa to cancel their practice session the day before the match. Thikshana also said, 'We played a warm-up match in Florida. Our third match there. Maybe next year everyone will think about it. Because I know, nothing will change this year.'

Skipper Hasaranga said, 'We can't tell if it (impacted the performance). We have four matches at four different venues. We didn't know about the conditions here (New York). Next game in Dallas. I don't know anything about it. Then I will play in Florida. I played two (preparatory) matches there. So that's the only positive side.'

The Sri Lankan manager confirmed that they have written a formal letter to the ICC regarding the busy schedule and other arrangements. Sri Lanka will play against Bangladesh on Saturday.