Match referee considered shifting Kotla match to alternative strip

ICC match referee Alan Hurst said he considered shifting today's abandoned India-Sri Lanka ODI to another pitch but had to call it off in the end since the other track was not ready for the game.

Hurst said he weighed the option of shifting the match to another pitch offered at the Ferozeshah Kotla during his deliberations with the on-field umpires and both the captains but could not go ahead with it since the alternative strip was not ready.

"Before abandoning the match, consideration was given to shifting the match to a secondary pitch. However, it was deemed impractical as the secondary pitch was not adequately prepared," Hurst said in a statement.

Sri Lanka were 83 for for five in 23.3 overs when poor pitch conditions forced abandonment of play. Visiting batsmen, including Tillakaratne Dilshan and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, received some nasty blows during the the Lankan innings as the pitch turned dangerous due to uneven bounce.

"The decision to abandon the match was taken by myself, in consultation with the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Shavir Tarapore, and both captains as it was clear that the pitch had extremely variable bounce and was too dangerous for further play.

"I'd like to commend the on-field umpires and captains for continuing as long as they did in the hope that the pitch may settle down. Unfortunately, this did not happen," Hurst added.