The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has voiced safety concerns about their upcoming three-Test tour of England, scheduled to start on August 21. The worries arise due to ongoing anti-immigrant riots across the UK.
In response to these concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has assured the Sri Lankan team of robust security arrangements. The ECB’s comprehensive plans aim to provide a secure environment for the Sri Lankan players and staff.
Players who have already arrived in England for pre-series training have expressed their anxiety about the situation. They have called on the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to enhance security measures amidst the ongoing unrest. “Although the riots are not near our location, we still feel uneasy. We are mostly confined to the hotel and avoid going out to dinner or socializing to stay safe. We’ve requested additional security until the main team arrives, but we haven’t received a response yet,” one player told ESPN.
Sri Lanka’s team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, raised the issue with the ECB after seeing news reports about the unrest in Manchester, where the team will play their first Test. Halangoda noted that the ECB responded promptly, providing details of their security plans. “The ECB acted swiftly and shared their comprehensive security arrangements with us. We will also have a security liaison with us throughout the tour,” Halangoda said.
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