No Madras games for Sri Lanka in World Cup

by Rex Clementine

The International Cricket Council yesterday announced the dates and venues for the upcoming World Cup and Sri Lanka are set to play two games each in Delhi, Lucknow and Bangalore but in the southern state of Madras, they remain persona-non-grata.

The national cricket team has not played a game in Madras since 2005. However, following the heroics of Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana during Chennai Super Kings victory during the IPL there were suggestions that Tamil Nadu Cricket Association had requested one Sri Lanka game during the World Cup.

However, no game has been scheduled for Madras for Sri Lanka and their wait to play at the iconic Chepauk Stadium continues.

Sri Lanka are yet to qualify for the World Cup but their schedule irrespective of how they end up in the Qualifying round will not change. All what they need to do is to book one of the two remaining places and their venues and dates are already known.

Sri Lanka begin their campaign with a game against South Africa in Delhi and will finish their tournament in Bangalore taking on New Zealand. They have also a game each in Pune, Hyderabad and Bombay apart from the double headers in Delhi, Bangalore and Lucknow.

Sri Lanka’s schedule if they qualify for World Cup

7 Oct vs South Africa in Delhi

12 Oct vs Pakistan in Hyderabad

17 Oct vs Australia in Lucknow

21 Oct vs Qualifier 1 in Lucknow

26 Oct vs England in Bangalore

30 Oct vs Afghanistan in Pune

2 Nov vs India in Bombay

6 Nov vs Bangladesh in Delhi

9 Nov vs New Zealand in Bangalore.