Mask-gate: Angelo Mathews says conditions getting worse, Mohammed Shami plays it down

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews termed it “worse” than before but Indian pacer Mohammed Shami found nothing out of ordinary in the pollution levels, which had prompted the visitors to hold up proceedings in the ongoing third Test in New Delhi.

Delhi’s air quality continued to be in the “very poor” category, something which had led to play being stopped on three occasions yesterday. Sri Lankan players had taken the field wearing anti-pollution masks in the post-lunch session complaining of breathing problems yesterday.

“It was pretty much the same as yesterday, I would say. Or even a bit worse! I am not really sure. Look, it’s up to the match referee (David Boon) and also the umpires (Nigel Llong and Joel Wilson) to take a decision on that,” Mathews said after the third day’s at the end of which Sri Lanka were 356/9 in reply to India’s 536/7. “We are out here to play cricket and we want to get on the park,” he added.

India bowled 85.3 overs on the day and not for once was play stopped due to players complaining about pollution. When asked if he felt any uneasiness while bowling long spells unlike his Lankan counterparts Lahiru Gamage and …read more