Sri Lanka Cricket issues apology to stripped groundsmen

Sri Lanka Cricket has been witnessing the lowest of lows in their cricketing journey in recent times. A new addition was made to their nightmares when dozens of groundsmen at the Hambantota Cricket Stadium complained of being ordered to give up their uniforms before they would be paid. The Lankan cricket board was forced to apologise after social media reports of the incidents surfaced.

This incident was reported in the wake of Sri Lanka’s embarrassing defeat to Zimbabwe at home. Zimbabweans won the one-day international (ODI) series by a 3-2 margin. This humiliating defeat laid bare the home side’s struggle with fitness, former players’ retirement, losses and coaching upheaval.

Groundsmen ordered to return uniforms that they were wearing

According to reports by the AFP, the ground staff was told that they would not be paid until they returned the uniforms provided by the board. They were forced to return their uniforms that they were clothed in and some workers had to even leave the ground in their underwears at the end of the fifth one-day international between the two teams on Monday.

The Board issued an apology statement towards the workers after social media brought the shameful incident to light. “Whilst stern action will be taken against those responsible, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to apologise to those subjected to this ignominy, and will take steps to ensure they are compensated,” the board said in the statement.

Angelo Matthews find the defeat a “hard one to swallow”

Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews termed the unexpected 2-3 home series loss to Zimbabwe as “one of the lowest points” of his career and a “hard one to swallow”. All-rounder Sikandar Raza was prolific with both bat and ball to help his side beat Sri Lanka by three wickets and clinch a historic series victory in the fifth and final ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota on Monday.