Date-stamped : 14 Jan94 - 22:31
SL v Ind Board Pres XI, Delhi, 13-15 Jan 94

====> Day 1, 13 Jan 94
Sri Lanka  lost the first day's  play on their  cricket  tour  of
India on Thursday to bad weather  that has  blighted preparations
for the three-test series starting next Tuesday.  Overnight  rain
and early morning fog that cleared only a  little during  the day
meant a delayed start and two inspections of the pitch before the
umpires decided no play was possible.
Prospects for a full day's play on Friday in SriLanka's three-day
game  against an  Indian  Board  President's XI  seemed poor with
weathermen forecasting more of the same. Rain seems to be dogging
the Sri Lankans, who had had little  practice at  home because of
wet  weather and then  arrived in  Delhi early  this week to find
more rain hampered their practice sessions.
The  match is  the only one  scheduled  before the  first test in 
Lucknow beginning  next Tuesday and  Sri Lankan manager Anuruddha
Polonowita said he was seriously worried about his side's lack of
practice.  The Indian players were equally anxious to play.  Most
of them are on  the fringes of  the test squad  and hoping  for a
chance to force their way in.  (Thanks: Reuter)
<END> Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu)
====> Day 2, 14 Jan 94
Sri Lanka suffered a second day of frustration as a soaking  out-
field  prevented  any  play in their Indian tour opener against a
President's XI at New Delhi.
The teams now hope to play a one day game on Saturday.
<END> Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk)
====> Day 2, MORE
Sri Lankans go missing, play wiped out
Sri Lankan cricketers staged a disappearing act on  Friday  as  a
heavy  outfield  wiped  out play for the second successive day in
the opening match of their tour of India.  Sri Lankan captain Ar-
juna  Ranatunga finally arrived at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground at
what would have been the tea break to offer apologies but no  ex-
planation.
The umpires then offered him and Navjot Sidhu, captain of the In-
dian  Board President's XI, the choice of whether to play or not.
The two skippers decided the outfield, made heavy by rain earlier
in  the  week and blanketed by heavy cloud that prevented it from
drying, was too dangerous.
The Sri Lankans did not appear at the ground in the  morning  and
Indian   officials   tried in vain to track them down.  Officials
at the Sri Lankans' hotel said they had no idea where  the   team
had  gone.  The Indian squad practised at the ground.  There were
plans to play a one-day match on Saturday, the  third  and   last
day  of the scheduled game.
The Indian board has agreed to a one-day  match  and  Sri  Lankan
manager  Bandula Warnapura had said earlier he would seek permis-
sion from his board if the Indians gave the go-ahead.   Warnapura
was not immediately contactable to confirm the one- day match had
been approved by his board.  Another option was for the two  cap-
tains informally to turn the last day into a one-day game by each
forfeiting an innings and agreeing to play  the  second   innings
under  one-day rules.  Sidhu said he would discuss that idea with
Ranatunga if there were no agreement on a formal one-day game.
The Delhi match was the only one scheduled ahead of  the  opening
test in Lucknow on Tuesday. The Sri Lankans are due to play three
tests and three one-day matches.  (REUTER)
<END> Contributed by chico (ckhan@bbn.com)