The upcoming Test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka is not in danger of being reduced, says Cricket West Indies (CWI).
CWI has played down reports that the series could be reduced from three matches to two because of financial challenges facing the regional governing body.
ESPNcricinfo reported yesterday that one of the Tests could be scrapped while quoting Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief executive officer Ashley de Silva as saying there had been discussions between the two boards about the possibility of sharing the costs of the tour.
While CWI chief executive officer Johnny Grave conceded there were financial challenges, he said there were no plans to alter the itineraries for either the series against Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.
“We will lose a significant amount hosting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We knew 2018 would be a tough financial year and the back to back surpluses over the last three years would never be enough to take us through this year,” Grave said.
“At this stage though, full tours for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are still on. With England and India coming for international home series next year, we anticipate better fortunes.”
The itinerary for the series against Sri Lanka shows Tests scheduled for Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad from June 6 to 10, the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia from June 14 to 18 and Kensington Oval which is set to host the first day/night Test in the Caribbean from June 23 to 27.
ESPNcricinfo reported that it understood that CWI informed SLC of the costs of the series and whether they would be willing to make any contribution to ensure the tour goes ahead as planned.
“CWI [is] experiencing a really challenging financial year as they only have home series scheduled against us and Bangladesh,” de Silva said. “They have been talking to us about sharing the costs of the tour and at this stage they haven’t given us any indication that the tour might get postponed altogether.”
He added: “Most probably the boards will reduce the number of Test matches to two, and play a couple of one-dayers. CWI are going through a bit of a crisis. They have been talking to us.” (HG)
