South Africa going home

South Africa will not be contending the tri-series in Sri Lanka following Monday’s bomb blast. The decision follows an independent inquiry, and a general consensus of the South African players seemed to be a desire to return home.

India and Sri Lanka will now contest a bilateral series consisting of three one-day internationals on August 18, 20, 22 at the Sinhalese Sports Club which has better drainage facilities to cope with any overnight rain. The matches will all be day games.

South Africa’s pull out follows a report from an independent security consultant where he stated the risk to the team is at an ‘unacceptable level’ following the bomb blast 72 hours ago.

The report says there is a real situational threat to the team, with the Sri Lankan Government being unable to guarantee the physical security of the team given the current security situation in Colombo.

The South African team received a direct threat yesterday with an email from the Tamil Tiger Youth “saying the team must go home”. This email was understood to be the clinching factor in them returning home.

India were happy to continue with the tour following an increase in security.

Revised Schedule
August 18: Sri Lanka v India – Sinhalese Sports Club
August 20: Sri Lanka v India – Sinhalese Sports Club
August 22: Sri Lanka v India – Sinhalese Sports Club