IND vs SL 2017: Umpire Richard Kettleborough misses third day of first Test

Umpire Richard Kettleborough officiating in the India v Sri Lanka 1st Test pulled out himself from the third day’s play of the game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Richard who was an on-field umpire stayed off since he has a throat infection and that forced him to take a break from the match. ‘

West Indies umpire Joel Wilson replaced Kettleborough as the on-field umpire to partner Nigel Long as the official for the game on day three as India resumed their overnight score 74/5.

“Wilson is down with a throat infection and has been replaced by third umpire Wilson of the West Indies Cricket Board,” a Cricket Association of Bengal official said. Before the start of the third day’s play, only 32.5 overs were bowled in the last two days as rain had a big say in the proceedings.

On a green bouncy surface at the Eden Gardens, Sri Lankan bowlers ran through the Indian batting line-up. Sri Lankan fast bowler Suranga Lakmal picked up four wickets while Kusal Perera, Lahiru Gamage and Dasun Shanaka picked up two wickets each.

The Indian team as it appears decided to play this game on green seaming surface, a rarity in Indian cricket to prepare for the tour of South Africa. The highest scorer in the innings was Cheteshwar Pujara (52) while Wriddhiman Saha (29), Ravindra Jadeja (22) and Mohammad Shami (24) pitched in with valuable contributions before the hosts were bowled out for 172 runs.

Indian fast bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will also enjoy this surface and make life difficult for the Sri Lankan batting line-up. Though the conditions aren’t the same anymore and the juice in the surface has also dried out to make batting easier the Indian pacers do have the ability to make use of the red ball and ensure the team takes a first inning lead.