Wet grounds delay play in England-Sri Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 18, 2007 (AFP) - Wet ground conditions prevented play before lunch on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka here on Tuesday.





England are seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Kandy.

The second Test in Colombo was drawn last week. Match referee Jeff Crowe informed the teams on Monday that the morning session would not take place after a heavy mid-afternoon downpour worsened an already soggy outfield at the Galle International Stadium.

Overnight rain and overcast skies on Tuesday raised fears of further disruption in the first big match at the stadium since it was destroyed by the deadly Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004.

Persistent rain over the last four days hampered preparations at the ground and more wet weather has been forecast for the rest of the week.

Officials will inspect conditions at the scheduled lunch time of noon (0630 GMT) to determine when the Test can begin.