England’s second Test to remain in Kandy after fans offered sweetener to switch hotels
The players will all stay at the Earl’s Regency Hotel in Kandy during the second Test
The Sri Lankan government have stepped in to keep the second Test in Kandy and will provide a number of sweeteners to English supporters who face being turfed out of their hotel to accommodate both teams.
The second of three Tests faced being switched to Colombo because of a double booking at the Earl’s Regency Hotel which left the Sri Lanka and England teams with the prospect of no rooms in easy reach of the Pallekelle Stadium.
But even though the hotel wanted to accommodate English tour groups who had paid for their rooms upfront, as opposed to the Sri Lankan board, a high ranking government official has stepped in to ensure the show goes on.
In a letter to English supporter groups affected by the clash Sri Lanka sports minister Faiszer Musthapha writes: ‘Sri Lanka Cricket is faced with a national crisis in securing the required number of rooms and as such I request that as a matter of national importance the required number of rooms be released to Sri Lanka Cricket.
‘It is imperative both teams have to be in Kandy.’
The number of England supporters affected, believed to be more than a hundred, have been promised good quality alternative accommodation but also a list of goodies to make their second Test experience all the more memorable.
Sportsmail understands these include:
- Transport to and from the new hotel to the ground in an air conditioned coach along with a police escort.
- Bottle of wine and fruit platter in room on arrival at hotel.
- Lunch to be provided each day at the ground free of charge.
- Beer and soft drinks in the coach during return journey from ground.
The supporters are believed to have accepted these terms and the second Test will stay put – but it has taken the government to intervene to make it happen.
Courtesy Daily Mail