BOTTLE-THROWING, BY SRI LANKAN SPECTATORS GOING MAD ... IN THE FACE OF DEFEAT!

As a result of spectators who lost ther heads when Sri Lanka was on the brink of defeat at the 3rd One-day match played at Pallekele Grounds today (27) between Sri Lanla and India, a short while before close of play, spectators who lost their heads took to hailing bottles and as a consequence play had to be halted for a short time.

The Indian side which trailed behind 218 which

Sri Lanka accumulated was closing in on victory having acquired 210 for 4 wickets but play had to be stopped because of the unruly behaviour of the spectators. Later the riot-squad policemen and police officers arrived on the scene and spectators of one area were expelled and subsequently play was recommenced and India were able to trounce their opponents.

The above-incident had taken place at the end of the 44th over. Spectators who were outraged in the face of continuous defeats resorted to hailing bottles etcetera at the grounds and on that occasion the umpires who abandoned the game were watching the happenings in the middle of the grounds with the players. As the situation was not getting under control the match was abandoned in the process and players as well as umpires went back into the pavilion. The play recommenced about 20 minutes later under security measures and the Indian team clinched the 8 runs necessary for victory in 7 balls.

Prior to this even at the match played in Dambulla, spectators displayed their protest by hooting. Even sports critics had mentioned that they had not seen instances before where Sri Lankan Cricket spectators behave in this unruly fashion. Sri Lanka lost all Test matches and One-day matches played against the touring Indian side this time.