EOIN’S HOPES OF FIREWORKS WASHED AWAY
ENGLAND’S tour in the middle of Sri Lanka’s monsoon season got off to a predictably soggy start with the first ODI abandoned after 15 overs.
Skipper Eoin Morgan described the bitter frustration in the dressing room at being denied the chance to ‘explode’ into the series after the batsmen were stopped in their tracks by heavy rain.
And despite having the entire ground covered in tarpaulin sheets, some water did make it on to an outfield that has been taking a soaking over the past few weeks.
“It’s extremely frustrating in the first game of the series,” said Morgan, who was 14 not out and England 92-2 when play was halted.
“Having played only one warm-up game we wanted to explode and get guys into the series.
“The umpires did a great job to get the whole ground covered before the rain fell, but water did displace in three or four areas and it is muddy and dangerous. Safety is paramount and the umpires made the right call.
“I’m not fearing for the series at all. We have two reserve days late in the series so we will get some form of game in and then let’s hope the weather gets better.”
England are here earlier than usual because of the packed cricket calendar.
Sri Lanka head straight to New Zealand following this tour and then go on to Australia and South Africa before the winter is out leaving this slot as the only time for England to squeeze in their matches.
Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy will hope for more time in the middle together after becoming the first England partnership to pass 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year with their stand of 49 before the rain fell.