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New York, United States of America (USA)
Wanindu Hasaranga’s troubles have already begun even before their T20 World Cup 2024 game against South Africa in New York. The Sri Lanka skipper raised concerns about travelling for the opening match to the brand-new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Long Island.
Hasaranga, on the eve of the match, revealed that the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team stay some 90 minutes away from the venue and have been forced to start their journeys to the ground at least three hours in advance, even for training.
As the game is scheduled to start at 10:30 AM local time – the prime time for TV audiences in the Indian subcontinent – Hasaranga and Co. have to make their way to the ground early in the morning.
“No, if we play under the lights, then we prepare everything under the lights at 10:30. The only concern is we have to come early to the ground. We had to come at 7.30 in the morning because we were so far from the ground. It will take like one and a half hours to the ground. That’s the only concern we have,” Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga told reporters ahead of the clash against South Africa.
Hasaranga’s comments came in the aftermath of a report by the Newswire, which stated that Sri Lanka, along with South Africa and Ireland, “faced significant travel disruptions on their journey from Florida to New York”. The report also claimed that Sri Lanka, South Africa and Ireland have complained to the International Cricket Board.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to play face Bangladesh on June 8 in Dallas, Nepal on June 12 in Florida and the Netherlands on June 17 in St. Lucia after taking on South Africa in New York.
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Wanindu Hasaranga though said Sri Lanka have prepared for the tournament.
“First of all, we prepared really well. We came two weeks early to North Carolina, had practice sessions there and we played two practice matches in Florida. I think as a team, we prepared really well and the conditions are similar to Sri Lanka. So, I think as a team we prepared really well,” Hasaranga said.
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