UNI
 
Colombo, Aug 15: The Unitech tri-series opener between Sri Lanka and South Africa was called off on Tuesday and will be rescheduled after a meeting between the team managements of the three participating nations.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be meeting the team managements of India and South Africa this morning to discuss the new schedule for the series, which is now under serious doubt after the Proteas threatened to walk out following a bomb blast here.

"Today's match has been called off and will be scheduled sometime later but we cannot disclose much about the new itinerary,'' SLC media coordiantor Shamantha Algama told UNI before going to attend the crucial meeting.

Security concerns which were heightened after the blast - barely two to three km from the hotels where the Indian and the South African teams are staying - have put the series in jeopardy and the SLC will be trying to convince Mark Boucher's side to stay back and participate in the tourney.

Earlier, sources in the South African team had told UNI that the side wanted to return home as they feared for their safety in the country.

Weather has also been playing havoc and the unseasonal rain in the island nation has further contributed to the already bleak situation. Even today, heavy showers lashed the ground and the sky continued to be overcast.