Continued from Galle First Test Day 1 …

As we finished a relatively early pre-game breakfast, the wind and rain of the morning stepped up a notch. Some sheeting was blown off around the Radisson Blu and tore the mirror off a Mercedes in the hotel front car park as we were waiting for our bus. Very windy, so the proposed morning market trip for those interested was postponed until later.

However, Galle is apparently the best cricket ground for drainage in Sri Lanka, and they totally cover the ground, not just the pitch. Day two was also quite cloudy, so there could be a light issue later.

Play was clearly going to be delayed with this weather. Several temporary stands were virtually demolished. Covers were lifting off with the wind and dousing the nearby spectators (few that there were prior to the match) on the eastern side of the ground. Other sections of the covers lifted off from time to time – but weighted down with lots of tyres!

Many, many groundsmen, well over 50 to assist. Rain seemed to have set in for a while. Power supply off and on intermittently. Various scaffolding taken down, electronic scoreboard half-dismantled to prevent further damage. The high cameramen position was lowered.

Sightscreens were billowing and coming off – removed to prevent further damage. Comments to the effect that with the removal of much of the sight screens “now they’re normal size again!” “We could use those sight screens to make more Warnie T-shirts!” Classic comment as they were ordering Warnie T-shirts – “Can I get a 3XL?”, “Of course, they’ll write any size you like on the collar!”

Took a brief walk outside, took a photo of the ransacked “Special Marquee” next to our hospitality box. Now just a pile of chairs and covers.

At 11:30am we were leaving the ground to go for lunch at the caterer’s premises, “Nature Trails”, a boutique hotel at Unawatuna. Just at the same time, the Australian team arrived in their buses.

Had time for a sit-down lunch, as the pitch inspection prior to starting play was due at 1pm. Play due to resume at 1:45, with 59 overs to be played, light permitting.

Returned to the ground around 1:20pm. Some Aussies were practising in the nets just near our entrance; others practising on the ground. Took some photos while watching a little. Tom called out to Smith, “You having a roll today?”, with the response “No way, I’m retired!” Smith still is very fresh-faced and young looking.

Went from the nets to take a few photos at the cricket ground fence. Starc walked by, so Tom called out some encouragement with “Starcie, have a good game” which Starc acknowledged with a smile and thumbs up. Robyn, a huge Starc fan, had just returned to the hospitality box, so was devastated she missed the opportunity for interaction!

Noted that Green is exceptionally tall, only needing an average of eight strides to cover the pitch, in comparison to Khawaja’s 13! Wondered if Green and Starc make the tallest Aussie partnership?

Electronic scoreboard rebuilt and working; sight screens also all re-erected.

Discussion about is a wide ball counted as a ball faced by the batter? Short answer, no.

Finally, some sixes scored – three sixes by Cummins in Vandersay’s final two overs for the day. Final shot of play for the day was a huge six out of the park! Then, the players were straight off for bad light. Somewhat bemused, as Cummins could clearly see to hit his six! Stumps 8/313 at around 5:40pm.

Back at the Radisson Blu, happened to be in the same lift as the ICC officials. Umpires this match are Dharmasena and Denon, with TV Referee Gough and Match Referee Srinath. Tom complimented the umpires with “good day today”, and cheekily queried the tonk for six followed by immediately coming off for the light. Srinath explained that Sri Lanka intended to bowl pace the next over, not spin. They confirmed this intent, so made the decision to call the light.

Tom mentioned I’ve been doing to ball-by-ball scoresheets, so the umpires asked how many byes today? From memory, 20 byes and two leg byes (actually, it was three), and they seemed suitably impressed. A good day all around, really.

Read about Day 3 here …