“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to apologise to those subjected to this ignominy”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that they will launch a probe after a decision was taken to strip the Hambantota groundstaff of the pants they had been wearing during the fifth ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on Monday.

The groundstaff were given SLC uniforms to wear for the match, but they didn’t expect to have to return the clothes.

However, it is understood that the groundstaff were only paid once they handed their pants back, meaning that they were left wearing their underwear.

“They only paid us for our three days worth of work after taking our clothes,” one groundsman told Hiru News. 

Another groundsman said: “They hadn’t told us to come prepared with another set of clothes. They asked us to hand over the trousers, so we had no choice but to do that.”

SLC have apologised for the incident and confirmed that they will take action against those responsible.

“Whilst stern action will be taken against those responsible, Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to apologise to those subjected to this ignominy, and will take steps to ensure they are compensated,” the board said.

Sri Lanka were beaten by three wickets in the fifth ODI and subsequently lost the series 3-2.