Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign has begun on a sour note, not just due to their opening match defeat against South Africa, but also because of logistical challenges brought on by their unique schedule. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and spinner Maheesh Theekshana have both voiced their dissatisfaction with having to play at four different venues during the first round of the tournament.
Travel Woes and Missed Training Sessions
Following their loss to South Africa, Sri Lanka faced a tight turnaround, having to rush back to their hotel, pack their belongings, check out, and head straight to the airport for a 6 pm flight to Dallas for their next match against Bangladesh. This hectic schedule left them with minimal time for rest and recovery.
The situation was even more problematic leading up to their first match. Sri Lanka’s flight from Miami to New York was delayed by seven hours, significantly impacting their training schedule. “We had to cancel our training session due to travel fatigue,” revealed Theekshana. “We even had to wake up at 5 am to reach the stadium for the match against South Africa.”
Theekshana highlighted the unequal playing field created by the schedule. “Other teams are playing at the same venue throughout and even have practice matches scheduled there,” he said. “We, on the other hand, played practice games in Florida and only have one familiar venue out of four in the first round.” This lack of consistency makes it difficult for Sri Lanka to adapt to different pitch conditions and establish a rhythm.
Hasaranga Acknowledges Challenges but Focuses on the Future
While acknowledging the logistical difficulties, Hasaranga is determined to move forward. “We can’t make excuses,” he stated during the post-match press conference. “The last few days have been tough, but we have to focus on the next game.” Sri Lanka’s next match against Bangladesh is crucial, as a win is essential to keep their Super Six stage hopes alive.
Theekshana expressed his hope that the scheduling issues will be addressed in future tournaments. “There are some things that need to be rethought for next year,” he said. While acknowledging that changes won’t happen for the current tournament, his comments highlight the need for the ICC to create a fairer and more balanced schedule for all participating teams.
Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign faces an uphill battle not just on the field, but also in overcoming the challenges presented by their unique travel schedule. Whether they can overcome these obstacles and find success in the tournament remains to be seen.
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