Rains hamper Colombo ODI preparations

Persistent rains throughout the country are likely to hamper preparations for the second and third one-day internationals between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo. The Premadasa Stadium, which is scheduled to host the matches on November 4 and 6, has been under covers since Saturday and there is no hope of preparing the pitches for the games.

"Half the ground is submerged under water due to the adjoining lake overflowing and the water on the ground is unlikely to subside till the lake waters recede," a spokesman for Sri Lanka Cricket stated on Thursday. "It will be a difficult task to get the pitch and the ground ready for Sunday's game. If the rains cease we might be able to prepare a pitch for the game on Tuesday."

Sri Lanka has been hit by unusual weather due to a tropical cyclonic storm 'Neelam' in the northern part of the country, which has resulted in strong winds and showers in other areas of the country. The first ODI of the five-match series in Pallekele was also abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In November 2010, the tour to Sri Lanka by West Indies was hampered by bad weather with all three Tests ending in draws.