Sri Lanka, who are set to take on England in a three-match Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of August, raised concerns over the ongoing anti-immigrant riots in Britain.
The players of the touring side, who have already reached the British island, have requested an increase in the level of security measures ahead of the arrival of the rest of the squad.
A player revealed that the magnitude of the issue does not seem to be rampant in the place they are put up currently, however, added that the players are mostly confined to the hotel premises amid the ongoing furore.
“Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned,” a Sri Lankan player said.
“We can’t go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up,” he revealed.
“We’ve asked the board to try and ask for some security for us until the main team arrives, but we haven’t heard anything back yet,” he added.
Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda said that he had flagged the issue with the ECB, who were quick to respond to the request of the touring side.
“I raised the issue with them, and the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements,” Halangoda said.
He added that the visitors would have a security liaison for the duration of the series.
“We’ll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well,” the team manager added.
The first Test of the series is slated to get underway on the 21st of August at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, followed by the second Test set to get underway on the 29th of the month at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The final game of the series will be contested at The Oval and is slated to begin on the 6th of September.
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