WICB request changes to Lankan itinerary

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have requested changes to the proposed itinerary for their tour of Sri Lanka after changes made made to accommodate the General Election scheduled for December 5.

The itinerary has been in a state of flux during recent weeks and the BCCSL are forced to reschedule the itinerary once again, after the WICB insisted that they required at least three days between Tests.

Cricket Board sources said it was quite understandable for the West Indies' request as they carry a heavy load of fast bowlers and some of the players were coming out of injuries. They said they were in the process of rescheduling the itinerary again.

The BCCSL altered the original itinerary which allowed only two days rest between Tests. The alteration was done on the advise received from the police who, as a precautionary measure, did not want any matches to take place three days before and three days after the General Election.

Cricket Board sources said the West Indies have requested the final Test be played at Colombo, and if that alteration is made, the schedule will fall into line with the previous ones before it.

In an effort to overcome the national team's hoodoo of losing the second Test at Kandy, the BCCSL changed the venue to the third Test, making SSC host the second Test.

But now it seems they may have to stick to the previous itineraries which has seen Sri Lanka win the first Test at Galle only to falter in the second Test at Kandy. It has happened to them in the last three series againt South Africa, England and India.

West Indies are due to arrive on November 1, and play two three-day side games at the NCC and at Matara before meeting Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle on November 14.