Fifth one-dayer abandoned due to poor pitch condition

NEW DELHI: Unfit pitch conditions at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium forced the fifth and final one-day international (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka to be abandoned today.

Sri Lanka were 83-5 in the 24th over when the umpires stopped play after a ball from debutante seamer Sudeep Tyagi bounced alarmingly before going head-high to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Match referee Alan Hurst of Australia called off the game following lengthy discussions with the umpires and local officials.

India won the series 3-1 gained in the previous match, building on the 2-0 success in the preceding Test series.

Former India captain Bishan Bedi said he was ashamed at the turn of events and wanted the local Delhi and District Cricket Association to be penalised. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said it had disbanded, its grounds and pitches committee, which looks after the preparation of wickets at all centres.

The Ferozeshah Kotla stadium has been awarded four matches in the 2011 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.