Blind Aussie cricketers to tour Sri Lanka
A team of visually handicapped team from Australia is due to arrive in the island on April 15 to play a five match series against the Sri Lankan Visually Handicapped team.
The matches are in the format of 40 overs-a-side and the first match is to be played on April 17 at the Pallekele Stadium followed by matches on April 19, 20, 22 and 25 at Galle International Stadium and Surrey Club Maggona. The last two matches will be played at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
After eight years Sri Lanka’s visually handicapped cricketers will be hosting a foreign team, last being the England team which won the a three match series 2-1 in 2006. The skipper of the Sri Lanka thanked the Sri Lanka Cricket for giving the stadiums free of charge. He also pointed out that Sri Lanka had not toured outside the sub-continent, making six tours to India and Pakistan. The Visually Handicapped Cricketers Association had requested for sponsorship from various establishments and they are confident that at least one will respond to them in the near future.
Even when the tour is at the door-step Sri Lankan cricketers are in search of a venue with a turf wicket for practices. They also have to find ways of transport for cricketers of the two teams, the umpires and the scorers to the stadiums and their fees, hotel accommodation for the home team and visitors. The estimate includes cash awards and trophies for the series winners and runners-up, best performers in each match and the food and beverages charges as well.