Sri Lanka shifts venues for Windies ODIs

COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka has switched venues for next week’s one-day series against the West Indies to Colombo, an official said Wednesday, as both teams prepare for next month’s World Cup.

The games will be played during the day at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Brian Thomas told AFP, starting on January 31.

The matches had been scheduled as day-night encounters at the World Cup venues, including the newly-built Hambantota and the renovated Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“The World Cup venues for matches have been officially handed over to the ICC (International Cricket Council) this month and ICC rules allow us to practice but not play until the World Cup starts,” Thomas said.

Heavy rains in December forced the one-day series to be postponed and the matches will be used by both teams to warm up ahead of the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

Schedule:

Jan 31: First one-dayer at Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo)

Feb 4: Second one-dayer at Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo)

Feb 6: Third one-dayer at Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo)