SL v ENG 2018: England blames crammed calendar for poor scheduling of Sri Lanka series

There is no possibility of Sri Lankan weather to get much better in the short term.

All three ODIs have been affected by rain in Sri Lanka | Getty Images

On Wednesday (October 17), England Cricket has blamed the crowded international cricket calendar for its decision to tour Sri Lanka during the rainy season after the rain has once again interrupted the ongoing five-match One Day International series here.

The Three Lions players and fans have been highly frustrated by rain interruptions during the ongoing two month Sri Lanka tour, as the heavy rain already ruined their tour-matches and then first ODI was abandoned, while second ODI match had to reduce due to the rain in Dambulla.

Now, the third ODI was also hit by rain as the weather is playing hide and seek game in Sri Lanka, though, the touring side managed to win a rain-curtailed match by 7 wickets after the match reduced to 21 overs per side due to heavy showers here at Kent.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has defended the scheduling by saying that Sri Lanka's New Zealand tour starting on December 8, due to which they had to schedule the ODI series in October -one of the wettest times of year in the country.

On Wednesday, the England Cricket wrote on their official Twitter handle, “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.”

The statement further reads, “After hosting England, Sri Lanka spends the rest of the 18-19 season touring New Zealand, Australia & South Africa. They play their first match in New Zealand on December 8, which left very little wriggle room given our final Test in Sri Lanka is finishes on November 29.”

The fourth ODI will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on October 20.

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By Rashmi Nanda - 18 Oct, 2018

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