Question about India Test matches (India in SL, 2012)
May 4, 2012 - 08:53
Does anybody know which grounds are going to be used for the test matches against India in July/August or when the full itinerary for the series is going to be announced?
I am hoping to visit from the UK to watch at least one test but need to organise leave from work, flights etc well in advance so any information anyone can provide would be much appreciated.
"It is for the same reason - an increase in revenue - that India's tour of Sri Lanka in July 2012 will comprise three one-dayers and three Twenty20 games, and no Tests as had been earlier planned. SLC is presently facing a severe shortage of funds following the construction of new stadiums in Pallekele and Hambantota and the renovation of the Premadasa Stadium for the 2011 World Cup."
http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/con...
Many thanks for the information.
I suppose I can't hold the present Sri Lankan cricket administration to blame as they are only trying to cope with up the financial shambles left by their predecessors, but it is a great pity and a wasted opportunity: a test series against the present Indian side would have been a fascinating and evenly matched contest. I certainly won't be travelling all that way to sit through the formulaic tedium of 50 over ODI cricket.
But do blame them for giving money more prominence over Test cricket. Our players are often blamed for it; why not the administrators?
If that is the only way the players can currently be paid I don't see there is much the present administrators can do about it. If I were a SL player I know I would sooner play boring ODIs and be paid, than the highest level of the game and not be paid!
Clearly SL administrators are totally culpable for the present sorry mess, but is it fair to blame it all on the current incumbents?
It may be my England perspective, where at least the first 3 days of all major test matches tend to be sold out months in advance, and my advancing age, but I do think the SL authorities need to better recognise the primacy of test match cricket and that the health of, and interest in, the shorter versions of the game in part depends on it.
I also wonder if the authorities take full account of the indirect benefits to tourism revenue that test cricket provides.
Players are blamed for playing in IPL and Malinga is blamed for retiring from tests to play ODI and T20. But no one is blaming Upali Dharmadasa for cancelling a Test tour to play ODI/T20
BIG JOKE!!!!
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