Australia Say 'No' To Test Series In Sri Lanka (18 May 1996)

18 May 1996

Aussies say `no` to Test series in Sri Lanka

MELBOURNE, Friday - Australia said on Friday it would not play a two-Test cricket series in Sri Lanka in August this year but was likely to take part in a four-nation one-day competition hosted by the World Cup champions.

A busy calendar for the Australian team and lingering security fears had prompted the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) to turn down Sri Lanka`s invitation to play two tests, the ACB said.

However, ACB Chairman Denis Rogers told reporters it was likely Australia would take part in the Singer Series of one-day matches against Sri Lanka, India and Zimbabwe from August 25 to September 8, although a final decision had not yet been made.

"The decision on Sri Lanka is that we are planning to go...but we won`t make a final decision until some time in the future,`` Rogers said.

"We would be accepting their invitation to play in the Singer Series only,`` Rogers said.

Two senior officials of the Board of Cricket Control in Sri Lanka had flown to Australia this week in a bid to save the test series.

Australia refused to play its opening match of the World Cup one-day tournament in Colombo on February 17, citing security fears after a bomb exploded in the Sri Lankan capital the previous month killing more than 80 people.

The refusal came after an acrimonious tour of Australia by Sri Lanka in the preceding two months during which the Sri Lankans were accused of ball tampering and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled for throwing.

"We`ve told Sri Lanka...that security is still a major issue,`` Rogers said.

The ACB has already committed the national team to a hectic calendar that will see the Australian players take part in series at home and overseas without a break until August next year.

"There were a whole range of considerations, in particular the commitment of the Australian cricket team from August, 1996, to August, 1997, and all that`s without a break,`` Halbish said.

ACB Chief Executive Graham Halbish said the ACB had accepted an invitation to play one test against India and a three-nation one-day tournament, also including South Africa, in India in October and November.

Australia will then host a full series of Tests against West Indies and a one-day series including Pakistan between November and February next year.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)