A cricket fan from England who had travelled to Sri Lanka for the series 10 months ago, continued his stay at the country.
While all cricket matches were postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a true cricket fan from England who had travelled to Sri Lanka for the series 10 months ago, continued his stay at the country in hopes of watching his team play.
However, Rob Lewis' story did not have a happy ending as he was kicked out of the Galle International Stadium by the police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test.
According to Sportskeeda, Lewis was given restricted access to the ramparts of the Galle Fort with no spectators inside the stadium for security reasons.
However, he was ordered off just after the national anthems were played and even the banners he had placed were removed.
"I am very frustrated," Rob Lewis said, according to Sportskeeda. "I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out. At least I managed to sing 'Jerusalem'. I am going to see the police (chief)," he said.
"All I want to do is watch the match. They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That's all. There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again"
As for the clash, England rolled over Sri Lanka in the first innings. England captain Joe Root struck his 50th test fifty to put them in a strong position. An unbeaten 110-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Root saw England to 127-2 at stumps on Thursday.
Despite winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts lost ten wickets for just 135 runs in the first innings. Stuart Broad and Dom Bess starred for England with the latter picking up his second-ever five-for in Test cricket.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "SL vs ENG")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}