PERTH, Australia, Dec 20: Sri Lankan cricket officials claim the team were snubbed when they arrived at Perth airport to prepare for two key weekend tri-nations series one-day clashes with England and Australia, it was reported Friday.

Sr Lankan manager Ajit Jayasekera claimed no local official was present at the airport to assist their arrival, The West Australian newspaper said.

The team were left waiting for a baggage van and no one told the players when they would be able to train at the WACA Ground, the paper said.

“This is no way to treat a visiting team,” Jayasekera said, referring to the team’s arrival late Wednesday.

“This has not happened to us anywhere else in the world, and I am sure it wouldn’t happen to any other team but Sri Lanka.

“It is an absolute insult that we arrive in this place to play cricket and no-one comes to see you.”

Western Australian Cricket Association chief executive Kath White said there had been a mix-up over Sri Lanka’s arrival time.

The Western Australian Association were told the tourists were to arrive at 9 pm while the media were told they would arrive at 4.40 pm.

In fact, the Sri Lankans arrived from Melbourne at 6 pm.

White explained: “We were told by the ACB that the Sri Lankans would arrive 9 pm. We had people ready to go out at 9, but we didn’t have anyone there at 6 p.m.

“I can understand the Sri Lankans would be upset, but it was not a deliberate snub.”—AFP