Under-19 Division I cricket tournament debutant Anuradhapura Central has been affected by floods jeopardising their chances of engaging in cricket in immediate future, according to team sources.
Keerthi Gunaratne, the coach and the Master-in-charge of Anuradhapura Central, said that the school and the houses of many students including those of the cricketers had been greatly affected by floods in Anuradhapura.
“We will not be able to play cricket in the immediate future. Most of our cricket gear were destroyed after the storing area in the cricket pavilion got flooded,” Gunaratne told The Island on Tuesday.
“We were helpless since it was flooded during the night. We could not remove anything. Our school library too was flooded. Army troops helped us to remove some of the books. Some parts of the school are still under water. Most of the cricket gear were severely affected by the floods,” Gunaratne said.
He also added most of the cricketers do not have their own equipment and use what is available at the school and the damage to such will affect their participation in the game in future.
“What we now have are some wet bats and balls. All the balls we received from SLC to play the whole season were stored inside the school. The balls cannot be used now,” he said.
Only four balls bowled at BRC
Almost the entire second day’s play of the match between Lumbini College and Moratu Vidyalaya was lost due to rain, forcing a no-decision to the match at BRC on Tuesday.
Only four balls were bowled on the second day.
Scores:
Moratu Vidyalaya 95 all out in 55.2 overs (Shanuka Madushan 45; Janith Dias 4/13, Chanaka Devinda 2/11, Thanuka Dabare 2/25)
Lumbini 29 for 5 wkts in 8.4 overs (Lahiru Chamara 2/11).
