Sri Lanka players raise security concerns for Test tour to England

Some of the Sri Lanka cricketers have raised security concerns for their upcoming three-match away Test series against England, scheduled to commence on August 21.

According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, the concerns were raised by a few Sri Lankan cricketers, who have reached England, citing the nationwide anti-immigrant protests and riots.

The report further suggests that a total of nine individuals – seven players and two support staff – requested the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for tighter security as they travel back and forth from a ground close to London.

“Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned,” one of the players told ESPNcricinfo.

“We can’t really go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up.”

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The rest of the Sri Lanka squad is supposed to touch down in England on August 11, which is when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will put the security plans for the series into effect.

The cricketing body, however, has responded to the visitors’ concerns and reassured them about tighter security measures.

Sri Lanka are due to tour England for a three-match Test series, which kicks off on August 21 in Manchester, followed by the second Test at Lord’s from August 29 while The Oval will host the third Test from September 6.

Three children were killed in a mass stabbing event in Southport, which sparked a week of far-right rioting throughout the nation in the United Kingdom (UK).

Misinformation regarding the attacker’s identification that was disseminated on social media has been connected to the disturbances.

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