Sri Lanka doubts hit UK Test ticket sales

There is growing concern about the threat of a shambolic start to England’s Test cricket summer next month due to the uncertainty surrounding Sri Lanka players returning from the Indian Premier League.

Absent friends: Sri Lanka’s big name stars Muralitharan (left) and Malinga (right) have retired from Test cricket

Release dates for a number of Sri Lankans, including new captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, have yet to be agreed.

The tourists will definitely be without two draw cards in Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga, who have both retired from Test cricket. This is making the first Test in Cardiff on May 26 a particularly difficult sell.

Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell said: ‘We are enormously disappointed that the full Sri Lankan side might not be with us and ticket sales could be better.’

The Welsh county have decided to ignore England’s opponents for the game in their marketing of what will be only the second Test played at the Swalec Stadium, following the inaugural Ashes match in 2009 which was said to have boosted the Welsh economy by £20million.

Instead the game is being promoted as a special occasion, with Cardiff and Wales as desirable sports destinations. (Daily Mail)