Tri-series opener a dampener

Lanka-South Africa match is expected to be replayed on Tuesday, provided the inclement weather clears up.

Bad weather washed out the opening match of the limited-overs tri-series between South Africa and Sri Lanka on Monday.

HT Image

The match will be played on Tuesday, weather permitting, as a reserve day has been kept aside for all seven matches of the series also featuring India.

A heavy thunderstorm hit the Sri Lankan capital on Monday and drenched the Premadasa stadium, where the day-night international was due to be played.

It stopped raining by noon, but another wet spell just before the scheduled start at 2:30 pm prompted match referee Chris Broad of England to call off the game.

More inclement weather caused by the south-western monsoon has been forecast over the next few days. The series is scheduled to run till August 29 with each team playing the other twice in the league before the final.

An outdoor practice session for the Indian team at the Sinhalese sports club was also called off on Monday due to the weather.