Sulking Sri Lanka boycott media conference: SLC says no sanction

Sri Lanka have refused to face the press after their 87-run defeat to Australia in the World Cup. Sri Lanka are set to be fined by the ICC after refusing to attend conduct a compulsory post-match media conference following their 87-run World Cup defeat to Australia.

The 1996 world champions were comfortably beaten at The Oval on Saturday, 24 hours after lodging an official complaint about what they claim is inferior treatment compared to other nations.

Team officials refused to open the door to ICC officials after the match a move that is certain to infuriate cricket's governing body.

Sri Lanka Cricket apologise for post-match media snub

Sri Lanka Cricket says that there won’t be any sanctions imposed on the Sri Lanka team by the ICC, over its non-participation in the post-match media conference on Saturday (15th June, 2019) following the World Cup game played against Australia.

Sri Lanka Cricket discussed the ‘Saturday’s Incident’ with the ICC and assured that a similar situation will not occur going forward in the tournament. 

The SLC also advised the team management to comply with the obligations, a participating team has to adhere during the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka team manager Asantha de Mel claimed earlier this week some of the hotels the team have stayed at have lacked a swimming pool and the bus that had been ferrying them around the UK was too cramped.

De Mel was also unhappy about the pitch that was being prepared at The Oval, hinting that it was less batting friendly than the one that was prepared for India's win over Australia last Sunday.

The claim was vehemently denied by the ICC who said they employ and independent body to work with local curators to prepare the pitches.

Australia captain Aaron FInch, who plays county cricket at The Oval for Surrey praised the pitch and praised the work of the curators who have battled against rain in the English capital all week.

"I thought the pitch played beautifully today," Finch said.

"I thought with how dry it was it might spin more, but it played beautifully all day.

"If you play enough here you know that with grass it keeps pace and carry on the wicket.

"They actually play a lot better than they look at times. So credit to the groundsman, especially given just how much rain there has been in London this week.

"To produce a beautiful wicket like that with as limited preparation is a great effort."