England Cricket Team Fan Ejected Out By Galle Police Despite Waiting 10 months In Sri Lanka To Watch The Series

England Cricket Team’s die-hard fan Rob Lewis’ dream of watching his beloved side compete against Sri Lanka in Galle came to an abrupt end on the opening day of the series after he was ejected out by the local police even before a ball was bowled.

Lewis had traveled to the island nation last March to witness the Test series. However, the series was called off due to the proliferation of the Wuhan virus- Covid-19.

But Rob Lewis decided to stay back in the subcontinent amid an unrelenting desire to watch England play. He adopted a stray dog in Galle and was able to keep his job back in the UK by working remotely. With the series taking place behind closed doors, Lewis was allotted a seat in the Galle fort- a vantage point adjoining the stadium.

However, just minutes before the start of the first Test, Lewis was ejected out of the Fort by the police due to security issues. Lewis was, however, grateful that he could at least belt out England cricket’s anthem ‘Jerusalem’.

“I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out. At least I managed to sing ‘Jerusalem’. I am going to see the police (chief),” he said. “All I want to do is watch the match. They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That’s all. There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again” Rob Lewis said.

Kicked us off the fort and taken my banners down ?

— Rob Lewis (@elitebandwagon) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

He, however, found a way to get back into the ramparts of the fort as he tweeted a picture of himself, hours after being ejected out by the police.

Back on the Fort because I work here now ?@<!---->T<!---->h<!---->e<!---->B<!---->a<!---->r<!---->m<!---->y<!---->A<!---->r<!---->m<!---->y #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->w<!---->H<!---->8<!---->H<!---->v<!---->U<!---->H<!---->j<!---->Z<!---->I

— Rob Lewis (@elitebandwagon) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

England in total control of the first Test against Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, England has asserted themselves into a position of strength in the first Test at Galle thanks to a shambolic batting display by the hosts.

Having chosen to bat first, Sri Lanka could only manage 135 runs in 46.1 overs- the lowest first-innings total by any team at Galle. Dom Bess claimed a five-wicket haul in a mere 10.1 overs.

In reply, England got off to a horrendous start as they lost both their openers to Lasith Embuldeniya for the score of 17.

However, since then skipper Joe Root (66* off 115) and Jonny Bairstow (47* off 91) have taken control of the proceedings with an unbeaten 110-run-stand, reducing the first innings deficit to just 8 runs at Stumps on day 01.

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