SPORT 3RD LD SL 2

The nearly 45,000 spectators could watch just 23.3 overs
with the Sri Lankans reeling at 83 for five before the game
was called off, leading to unruly scenes in the gallery where
incensed fans threw bottles and seat covers into the ground
and broke chairs.

The game was abandoned after Sri Lankan batsman Thilina
Kandamby complained to on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and
Shavir Tarapore. At that point, Sangakkara was seen gesturing
from the dressing room, suggesting it was impossible to carry
on.
After the umpires signalled to him, Sangakkara came
rushing into the field to join the match officials to argue
his case.
The abandonment due to a bad pitch is the second such
incident after Indore in 1997 and prompted calls for the
sacking of DDCA officials.
While the ticket-paying spectators were understandably
agitated, former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh
Bedi, Dilip Vengsarkar, Abbas Ali Baig and Madan Lal described
the incident as shameful and blamed DDCA and the Grounds and
Pitches Committee for the lapse.
Sunday's incident was uncannily similar to the December
25, 1997 India-Sri Lanka ODI in Nehru Stadium, Indore which
was called off after just three overs and the fiasco invited a
brief suspension for the venue. More PTI MRM
MYR


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