In recent times, the Sri Lankan cricket has been making into the headlines more for off-ground reasons than on it. While the national squad hasn’t been able to put a formidable performance from very long in the 22 yards, the island nation’s cricket has found itself hit by corruption. On Thursday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) fired its food and beverage supplier for selling unlicensed alcohol during the fifth ODI against England, leading to a mid-match raid by tax officials.
As per the reports in NDTV, it was learned that the tax officials seized alcohol bottles which were served to England fans during the fifth and final ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 23. According to the SLC, its hospitality partner Classic Destination did not have the necessary licenses to serve alcohol at the ground.
On Thursday, the statement released by SLC, read, “As the firm has failed to act within the law… and bringing disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket, SLC decided to immediately terminate Classic Destination from delivering further hospitality services during the England tour.”
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However, the company is yet to give any official comment on the same. Another controversy took rise when it was noted that the England fans complained about being charged for more tickets than the local supporters. The board though defended saying the entry tickets were same for all supporters – local or foreign. The reports said Classic Destination was selling food and drinks in packages at $120 which the British media described as a “rip off”.
England won the five-match ODI series 3-1 with the series opener being washed out. They won three games on the trot before the hosts hammered them by a record 219 runs in the final game. Sri Lanka has failed to win any of their last six ODI series played at home. While they lost to Australia, Zimbabwe, India, South Africa, and England, they drew with Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka and England will now lock horns for the lone T20I before the three-match Test series starting November 6.
