India-Lanka tie on, only 50 overs to be played today

Colombo, Aug 18 (UNI) The opening game of the three-match bi-series between India and Sri Lanka will start at 1430 hrs (local time) at the Singhalese Sports Club here today.

However, only the first innings of the match will be played today and the rest of the match will be completed tomorrow as the stadium does not have the lights to host a day-night game.

Earlier, umpires inspected the ground at 1230 hrs (local time) and gave the go ahead for the match after sun came out. The weather did not allow the game to get started on time and intermittent rain forced Team India to go back to their hotel after a delay was announced.

The series, which was originally a tri-nation tournament also featuring South Africa, has failed to take off due to the inclement weather here.

A bomb blast on the eve of the first match between South Africa and Sri Lanka saw the Proteas pulling out because of security concerns, forcing the organisers to make the tourney a three-match competition between India and the hosts.

UNI AY PM SND1325