The two test captains of Sri Lanka and South Africa were unanimous as to a ICC clarification on the consumption of sweets during play following the recent ball tampering controversy involving Dinesh Chandimal in the second test versus the West Indies. Both Chanidmal of Sri Lanka and Faf du Plessis of South Africa told a media briefing on Friday at Colombo’s Mövenpick Hotel ahead of the 2-match home test series that they would be seeking a clarification on chewing sweets from the match referee.
Chandimal stressed that sugar intake was necessary for energy when players tire out. Citing an example when he had to be administered sweets by the team physio when he scored 168 in a test match in Abu Dhabi, said, “I got faintish when I was on 120 in that innings and had to be given sweets to raise my sugar level.”
Meanwhile, his South African counterpart Faf du Plessis, agreeing said, “The ICC has still not said what is allowed and what is not allowed as to whether chewing gum is allowed. We need to get a clarification on the matter.”
He went on to contend that ‘if you put something in your mouth and chew it that is not something serious except that someone tries to do something with the ball.’
On team preparations, Chandimal voiced that the Lankan squad had just started training today (Friday) after the Caribbean tour. It had still not been decided as to who would open the batting. Of course, Dimuth Karunaratne, who had been cleared of his injury would be joining the squad while Malinda Pushpakumara was a cover for Rangana Herath who was recuperating from injury.
As to team preparations, he said that back home it would be an altogether different outlook from the West Indian pace friendly pitches. “In Sri Lanka the pitch conditions are more spin friendly and we will make our game plan accordingly.”
On South Africa’s preparations, skipper Du Plessis said that pace was their strong point and with the likes of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada his team would exploit that advantage to get more wickets while there were three spinners to suit Lankan pitch conditions.’
Sri Lankan batting coach Thilan Samaraweera, who spoke in the absence of team manager, Asanka Gurusinha who was in transit to Sri Lanka, said that back home ‘it is more our conditions that we like and it is going to be a tough challenge against an opposition that had in its ranks the fastest bowler around in Rabada.
At the outset, CEO Sri Lanka Cricket, Ashley De Silva, while welcoming the two teams and sponsors and the Competent Authority, Kamal Pathmasiri, Secretary, Sports Ministry, observed that the Lankans would be locking horns with the strong South Africans at a juncture the home team’s test cricket was doing well.
By Srian Obeyesekere
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