ICC monitor Test pitch to ‘stop fixers’

PREPARATION of the pitch for England’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in November is likely to be monitored by the International Cricket Council after allegations that the venue’s groundsman was conspiring to doctor the surface.

Galle stadium assistant manager and groundsman Tharanga Indika was caught boasting during an undercover sting that he had previously manipulated pitches for Sri Lanka’s Tests against Australia in 2016 and India last July.

Indika was secretly filmed during the making of a documentary by Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera titled Cricket’s Match Fixers.

Al Jazeera’s investigation, which will be aired today, reveals the pitch for the Sri Lanka-India Test was doctored to favour batsmen, while the one for the match between Sri Lanka and Australia was prepared to favour bowlers.

Match fixers allegedly exposed claim the next fixture to be targeted is England’s Test at the same venue, starting on November 6.

The ICC have already launched an investigation into the findings of the documentary, led by Alex Marshall, general manager of their anti-corruption unit.

Although officially the ICC say it is too early to suggest what action will be taken, The

Mail on Sunday understands they are considering whether to monitor the Galle pitch in the weeks leading up to England’s Test at the ground.