Fan ban is just not cricket

Galle, Sri Lanka – An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test yesterday.

Rob Lewis, pictured, who flew out last March before the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus and decided to stay until England returned, said he was “very frustrated” by the turn of events.

Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city’s cricket ground, just after the national anthems. No spectators are allowed inside the stadium.

“I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out,” said Lewis. “At least I managed to sing Jerusalema.”

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a web designer and done stints as a nightclub DJ.

He visited Galle Fort last Saturday to map out his fallback as it became clear that no spectators would be allowed at the ground.

Lewis said he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts. Three banners that he put up were also removed.

“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.”

Sri Lankan police banned all visitors from the 16th-century ramparts, a favourite venue for locals who want to avoid paying for tickets, officially for security reasons.

But a few journalists were allowed to cover the match from the fort.

Fans and media were barred from the stadium because of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50 000 people and killed nearly 250 there.

Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to keep up his record of covering every Test in Sri Lanka since 2000.

“I want to maintain my record,” he said.