Galle in Danger of Losing South Africa, England Test matches

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has landed in hot waters in the wake of the Al Jazeera sting operation. As a result, the board is under immense pressure to strip Galle International Cricket Stadium of all international games this year.

In the investigative documentary, “Cricket’s match-fixers,” the news outlet claimed the pitches for two Tests in the last two years were doctored.

The video showed two Sri Lankan individuals making such sensational claims. The two Sri Lankan individuals are, Tharindu Mendis (former first-class player) and Tharanga Indika (Assistant manager of Galle cricket stadium).

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The duo promised to prepare the pitch according to the needs of an undercover journalist posing as a businessman. Two other men, who also identified as fixers, were also present in the room.

During the conversation, Indika claimed to have doctored the Test pitches in the past. He claimed he had altered the surface for India and Australian Test in 2017.

According to Cribuzz, prominent figures within the board are putting pressure on SLC bosses to ban the venue this year.

“The damning evidence that emerged last week about corruption is too damaging. The venue should be banned from hosting the two Test matches this year,” an SLC official told Cricbuzz.

SLC are unlikely to face too many issues if they move the game against South Africa. However, the same cannot be said regarding the England Test in October.

An SLC official said the board is expecting about 5000 fans from England for the opening Test match of the three-match series scheduled on October 6-10. The official went on to add some fans had already made hotel reservations for the Galle Test match.

Meanwhile, SLC have already started its probe in the matter. Last week, they formed a three-member panel comprising Vice-President, Mohan De Silva, Secretary Air Commodore Roshan Biyanwala and Channa Weerakkody.

The trio was tasked with submitting a report within three days to make recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future.