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| August 16, 2006 | Wednesday | Rajab 20, 1427 |
Tri-series back on track as Proteas agree to stay on
COLOMBO, Aug 15: South Africa's cricket authorities on Tuesday approved a proposal to continue with the limited-overs tri-series in bomb-hit Sri Lanka pending security clearance from the sport's world governing body.
The tri-series hung in the balance after South Africa indicated they wanted to return home following a blast close to their team hotel on Monday which killed seven people and injured eight.
“We are told the International Cricket Council (ICC) wants to have its own security assessment,” South African media manager Gordon Templeton told reporters here.
“After discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), we have decided to stay on in Colombo and will take part in the tri-series if the security clearance comes.”
The ICC has three days to gauge the situation in the Sri Lankan capital before South Africa's first match in the series against India on Saturday, according to the revised schedule drawn up by the organisers.
The series gets underway on Wednesday with a day/night match between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
In Johannesburg, Cricket South Africa's general affairs manager Brian Basson said it was waiting for a security assessment from an ICC-approved independent assessor before making a decision.
“The decision to come back will be made in South Africa and will be made in consultation with the independent security consultant and team management, based on the assessment,” he said.
Basson said a final resolution on South Africa's participation could come as early as Wednesday.
He added that security around the players had been upgraded to the highest levels, “similar to that of the president of Sri Lanka.
“The safety of the team has been paramount in all our deliberations and we have been assured that the upgraded security levels for the team will achieve this,” Basson said.
The original series opener between South Africa and Sri Lanka, which was rained off on Monday and cancelled again on Tuesday following South Africa's reluctance to play, will now be held on Aug 29.
The final, earlier scheduled for Aug 29, will take place on Sept 2.
Each team plays the other twice in the league before the final. A reserve day has been kept aside for all matches in case of rain.
The Indian team decided against cancelling its tour following increased security and positive indications from the Indian diplomatic mission in Colombo.
Revised tri-series schedule:
Aug 16: Sri Lanka v India.
Aug 19: India v South Africa.
Aug 21: Sri Lanka v South Africa.
Aug 24: Sri Lanka v India.
Aug 26: India v South Africa.
Aug 29: Sri Lanka v South Africa.
Sept 2: Final.—AFP
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