Published: Oct 17, 2018, 04:52 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 17, 2018, 04:52 PM (IST)
Facing criticism over its scheduling of Sri Lanka tour during the monsoon season, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have hit back saying the blaming the crammed international calendar.
All three ODIs between Sri Lanka and England have been affected by rain with the opener in Dambulla being a complete washout. In the second ODI, at the same venue, England were declared winner via DLS after another rain interference. The third ODI, at Pallekele, was scheduled to start at 1:30 pm (IST) on Wednesday but has been delayed due to persistent rain.
England also saw one of their two warm-up matches for the five-ODI series being abandoned due to inclement weather.
ECB on Wednesday took to Twitter to reply to the criticism
“In respect of touring Sri Lanka at this time of year: The Future Tours Programme is congested involving 13 Boards whose schedules all interconnect, so there are unfortunately a number of tours that have to take place outside prime match-staging periods,” ECB posted on Twitter.
It further added, “After hosting England, Sri Lanka spend the rest of the 18-19 season touring New Zealand, Australia & South Africa. They play their first match in New Zealand on Dec 8, which left very little wriggle room given our final Test in Sri Lanka is finishes on Nov 29.”
In respect of touring Sri Lanka at this time of year:
The Future Tours Programme is congested involving 13 Boards whose schedules all interconnect, so there are unfortunately a number of tours that have to take place outside prime match-staging periods.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 17, 2018
After hosting England, Sri Lanka spend the rest of the 18-19 season touring New Zealand, Australia & South Africa.
They play their first match in New Zealand on Dec 8, which left very little wriggle room given our final Test in Sri Lanka is finishes on Nov 29.
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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 17, 2018
