Sri Lankan cricket team receive warm welcome

Singing Sri Lankan fans welcomed their national cricket team to Christchurch yesterday and said the approaching two-test series would be the perfect tonic after the devastation reaped by the December 26 tsunami.

The Village Green venue at Queen Elizabeth 2 Park lived up to its name as about 40 New Zealand-based Sri Lankans sang, danced and enjoyed a barbecue on the first day of Sri Lanka's three-day game against a New Zealand Major Associations 11.

"We are trying to forget the tsunami now and are starting a new life," said IM Premachandra, who had driven from Dunedin to watch his heroes.

"It is great to see them back here."

His sentiments were shared by the Sri Lankan players, who were relieved to be playing cricket again. They were forced to abort their tour to New Zealand after the tsunami devastated their homeland, killing about 38,000 people.

Sri Lanka's team manager Brendon Kuruppu said people back home could not wait for the team to tour again.

"When we went back home after the terrible disaster we visited the places which had been struck, especially southern Sri Lanka," he said. "When the players went there the first question they were asked was 'when are you playing again?'

"When they see us they basically forget all their experience and they start talking cricket. From our point of view the best thing we can do is start playing cricket as soon as possible, and this is the first opportunity we have got, as the national team.

"We are looking forward to playing and doing our best on this tour."

Mr Kuruppu said the players appreciated the backing they received from the small but supportive Sri Lankan community in New Zealand.

Christchurch is home to about 60 Sri Lankan families and many were in fine voice yesterday.

"Our sing-song is very traditional," said Christchurch resident Jayantha Gonsalkorale. "It encourages the team that we are behind them."

The Sri Lankan community were grateful for the "very generous support" from New Zealanders to the tsunami relief fund.

Mr Kuruppu said the team was "thankful to New Zealand Cricket and the people of New Zealand" for "understanding our situation and our need to go back home to be with the people of Sri Lanka".

"The support they gave us in organising the tsunami charity games has been of great assistance."

Mr Kuruppu said he understood Sir Richard Hadlee was going to Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks to donate the money that had been collected.

The Sri Lankan players also appreciated the vocal support they received from their countryfolk. And the happy fans did not even seem to mind that Sri Lankan cricket idol Muttiah Muralitharan is not touring because of shoulder surgery.

- NZPA