SLC complains to ICC after players suffer in Delhi's polluted air

SLC complains to ICC after players suffer in Delhi's polluted air

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Sri Lanka Cricket Board has lodged a complaint with the ICC concerning the third Test match in Delhi, where their players were subjected to poor air quality. Despite struggling to breathe and even vomiting on the field, the visitors managed to churn out a draw on the final day of the Delhi Test.

Dring the second day of the Delhi Test fans saw something that had not been seen on a cricket field before - Sri Lankan players fielding with masks on. This was spurred by fast bowler Lahiru Gamage’s sickness, who was found on his knees, struggling to breathe before he was eventually taken off the field.

Their other fast bowler, Suranga Lakmal, soon followed suit and manager Nic Pothas had later revealed that many players had vomited in the dressing room and could only return to the field after using "oxygen things".

The incident has drawn huge criticism from around the world and according to Associated Press, the Sri Lanka cricket board has lodged a complaint with the sport’s governing body. Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister, Dayasiri Jayasekara, revealed that the board had made the complaint on Tuesday.

“We can’t play like this as four players had vomited,” said Jayasekara as quoted by AP.

It wasn't just restricted to the visitors as an Indian player was also seen struggling on the fourth day. The hazy conditions were hazardous for the fast bowlers and Mohammad Shami was seen vomiting after bowling few overs on Tuesday before he was taken off the field as well.

Though Indian players didn’t struggle as much and didn’t wear masks when fielding, Shikhar Dhawan, citing Mohammad Shami's condition, had sympathized with Sri Lankan’s problems. While the fast bowler had stated that Indian players being used to the smog was not a good thing at all, the southpaw had publicly accepted that Delhi suffered more smog at this time of year and people coming from coastal areas, like Sri Lanka, might find it hard to breathe in the capital city. 

However, Sri Lanka managed to get a draw on the last day of the game with Dhanajaya Silva, Roshen Silva, and Niroshan Dickwella holding off the Indian bowlers. With no more international games scheduled in Delhi until 2020, the BCCI and the Indian government definitely have a tough task ahead of them to clear the city of its poison.

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