The Hindu : Sport : South Africa pulls out of tri-series

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 17, 2006

Sport

Sport

South Africa pulls out of tri-series

S. Dinakar

India, Sri Lanka to play three-match one-day series

ANOTHER OFF DAY: Indian captain Rahul Dravid, coach Greg Chappell (right) and biomechanist Ian Frazer inspecting the pitch on Wednesday. _ PHOTO: V. GANESAN

COLOMBO : A three-match India-Sri Lanka series has replaced the Unitech tri-series. The three-team competition became a non-starter once South Africa pulled out of the tournament here on Wednesday.

The report of the International Cricket Council (ICC) recruited security firm, Ogilve and Company, did not find Sri Lanka's upgraded security arrangement, following the bomb blast on Monday, adequate to provide the players complete protection.

These findings were in tune with the report from the security agency of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Nicolls and Styen.

India and Sri Lanka will meet in three one-day internationals at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) on Aug. 18, 20 and 22. These will be day games.

The league game between India and the host of the now ill-fated tri-series, had to be abandoned on Wednesday because of wet ground conditions at the Premadasa Stadium.

Gerald Majola, CEO, CSA, said in a statement that the report from the Ogilve group put the risk to the team at "an acceptable level." He further added that the Sri Lanka was unable to guarantee the physical safety of the South African team.

Pressure from families

The senior South African cricketers, it is learnt, were keen on the team withdrawing from the tournament. There was a lot of pressure on them too from their families who had seen the images of the bomb blast in Colombo on television.

The Ogilve report said there was "no targetted threat" for the South African team, but a "situational threat" existed. "The safety of our players is paramount," Majola added.

The South African manager Goolam Rajah said, "It's sad. But our Board took the decision keeping the safety of the players in mind. I feel sorry for the cricket lovers in Lanka. We would love to come back when the situation gets better."

Since the decision was taken after an ICC recruited agency submitted its findings, he expected that South Africa would not be fined for withdrawing from the tournament. In this context, Majola has said that the South Africa would explore the possibility with the Sri Lankan Board of rescheduling the tournament at a later date.

Dravid sad

Meanwhile, the Indian captain Rahul Dravid said he felt sad at what had happened and felt "nobody could be blamed. It is a difficult time for all concerned."

He refused to be drawn on a discussion on the South African decision, but said he had faith and confidence in what the Sri Lankan authorities, the intelligence agencies and the Indian High Commission had informed the team.

Dravid highlighted India's relationship with Sri Lanka and the Board here. He added that none from his team had walked up to him and said he felt threatened by the situation.

Happy with shift

Dravid was happy that the matches had been shifted to the SSC. "Actually we were more concerned at the soggy ground conditions (than the security) at the Premadasa Stadium. The SSC has better drainage facilities.

On a three-matches series rather than a five-match one, he observed, "I think three is the right number and it was mutually agreed by the two Boards." He was also pleased at a day's gap between the games. "We will not be playing back-to-back matches and there will be a provision for a reserve day as well."

In the run-up to the ICC Champions Trophy and the World Cup, every match assumed importance, said Dravid. "It will be a good challenge to play Sri Lanka," he said.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Samantha Alagama has said that the SLC had requested for a five-match series, but India could not accept the proposal because of its commitments.

The team was looking forward to the matches following a frustrating wait due to rain and the resulting ground conditions, said Dravid.

Mohammed Kaif had recovered well from fever, the skipper added. "Now he has an additional day to get better."

The Sri Lankan public deserved to witness some good cricket in bright weather, Dravid hoped.