Rain washes away opener, Team India safe after blast rocks Colombo

Colombo, Aug 14 (UNI) Cricket took a backseat today as a powerful blast, barely a kilometer from the Team India hotel, rocked the city while incessant overnight rain paved way for intermittent drizzle before washing away the Unitech Cup tri-series opener starring Sri Lanka and South Africa.

All the Indian cricketers were inside the Taj Samudra hotel when the blast on the Pakistan embassy convoy took place killing atleast seven people and injuring 17.

Meanwhile today's match has been postponed to tomorrow, organisers said.

While the prevailing wet weather gave enough inkling about the fate of today's match, the blast took all by surprise and prompted the authorities to beef up the security for the cricketers.

''There was nothing to worry. In fact we were not aware of the blast till someone came and informed us. The rain denied us practice and so cricketers were sweating it out in the gym. Then we were told that such a blast had taken place,'' Team India media manager Rajan Nair told UNI.

''All the cricketers were in the hotel then and in fact we didn't hear anything like that. The rain forced us to cancel the afternoon practice session and hence we all were inside the hotel, safe and secure,'' he added.

The authorities had not taken any chance and plaincloth police personnel were accompanying the Indian cricketers wherever they went.

''We were rather happy and comfortable with the security scenario. It was not the usual claustrophobic sea of khakis chasing you like shadow. There were two plaincloth security officials in the hotel lobby, two in the first floor and the number welled whenever we went out. The players were happy with it as well. But now I guess they would intensify it,'' Mr Nair added.

Meanwhile, the BCCI also played down the security scare and said pulling out of the series was out of question.

''The players are safe and the security has been beefed up.

The team management also contacted the Indian High Commission,'' Board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

Asked whether the BCCI would consider pulling out the team from the tri-series Mr Niranjan Shah said ''No''.

Interestingly, reports were doing the rounds here that Colombo might be subject to terrorist attacks again at a time when the city is hosting two major events -- the August 14-29 tri-series and the 10th SAF Games, scheduled from August 18-28.

Rain has been playing spoilsport since the teams arrived for the cricket tournament and it was only yesterday that India could have its practice session at the Colombo Colts Ground.

Rahul Dravid and his men kept themselves busy in the gym and the swimming pool while their practice match against Sri Lanka A proved a useful outing with the players getting to free their arms.

Meanwhile, the overcast sky and the drizzle literally poured cold water on any prospect whatsoever of the opening match between the hosts and South Africa. The tie will now be played, if weather permits at all tomorrow, the reserve day and the organisers have announced that the crowd can show the same ticket for their passage to the R Premadasa Stadium.

Match officials had decided for another round of inspection at around 1600 hrs but another bout of rain put paid to any hopes of play and they had to postpone the tie.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's chief selector Ashantha de Mel was apprehensive about the pitch and admitted that the team think-tank had not made up its mind about the final combination.

''We have to see the pitch on the morning of the play and then decide whether to go with a four-pronged pace attack or three would do,'' he said.

The hosts have reportedly agreed to persist with the opening pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga, while captain Mahela Jayawardene would come at number three, followed by another middle order mainstay Kumar Sangakkara.

UNI AY DH RN1550