An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his group play was escorted away by police prior to a ball had been bowled in the 1st Test on Thursday. Rob Lewis, who decided to remain in the nation soon after the original tour was aborted more than the coronavirus final March, had to resort to subterfuge to sneak a peek at the day’s play. Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city’s cricket ground, just soon after the national anthems. The game was held behind closed doors due to the fact of the pandemic.
“I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out,” Lewis told AFP.
“At least I managed to sing ‘Jerusalem’,” he added.
Hours soon after finding his marching orders, Lewis returned to an additional location of the fort additional from the ground, but nonetheless with a view of the game.
“Back on the Fort because I work here now,” he mentioned on Twitter with no providing an explanation, although he was wearing a difficult hat and a fluorescent security jacket more than his England T shirt.
He had place up 3 banners, which includes a single from the Barmy Army, as England’s supporters are identified, and an additional for a charity assisting stray dogs in Sri Lanka. But they had been also taken down by authorities.
During his remain in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a internet designer and carried out stints as a nightclub DJ.
He visited Galle Fort on Saturday to map out his plans as it became clear that no spectators will be permitted at the ground.
Lewis mentioned he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts.
“They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That’s all,” Lewis added.
“There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again.”
Sri Lankan police banned all guests from the 16th-century ramparts, a magnet for locals who want to prevent paying for tickets, officially for safety causes.
But a couple of journalists had been permitted to cover the match from the fort.
Fans and media had been barred from the stadium due to the fact of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50,000 persons and killed almost 250 in the South Asian nation.
Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to preserve up his record of covering each Test in Sri Lanka considering that 2000.
“I want to maintain my record even if they don’t allow reporters to the grounds,” he mentioned.
Soldiers and safety personnel in hazmat suits had been posted about the stadium and checked the couple of persons permitted in.
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