Singer World Series, 1994-95

Sri Lanka's first four-nation tournament was badly disrupted by foul September weather. India lost a shortened opening game to the hosts, but came up trumps when they met again in a similarly rain-hit final. The planned floodlit match at the R. Premadasa (formerly Khettarama) Stadium, which is built on marshland, had to be shifted at the last minute to the Sinhalese Sports Club, where there were no lights. Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin freely admitted that the toss was decisive: his bowlers dismissed Sri Lanka for 98 on a damp pitch and the batsmen got home as dusk fell.

Pakistan, who had just crushed Sri Lanka in Tests and one-day internationals alike, were clear favourites and Australia were highly rated. But Pakistan never won a match - their game with India was washed out - and Australia, about to tour Pakistan, appeared to regard the trip as practice. The home team romped into the final unbeaten; captain Arjuna Ranatunga was in rousing form and his 195 runs made him the first Sri Lankan to score 4,000 in limited-overs internationals. However, India lifted their game as the competition proceeded; and Sachin Tendulkar's maiden one-day hundred, against Australia, proved the turning point.

Crowds were reasonable and the day-night matches were scheduled at prime time on television in Asia, suggesting that a dollar-rich tournament with three visiting teams was a practical proposition. But the hazards of international cricket in the region were highlighted when an umpire consulted his colleague in the television replay box about a stumping, only to be told there was a power cut.

Note: Matches in this section were not first-class.

Match reports for

1st Match: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Sep 4, 1994
Report | Scorecard

1st Match: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Sep 5, 1994
Scorecard

2nd Match: Australia v Pakistan at Colombo (SSC), Sep 7, 1994
Report | Scorecard

3rd Match: Australia v India at Colombo (RPS), Sep 9, 1994
Report | Scorecard

4th Match: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Colombo (SSC), Sep 11, 1994
Report | Scorecard

5th Match: Sri Lanka v Australia at Colombo (PSS), Sep 13, 1994
Report | Scorecard

6th Match: India v Pakistan at Colombo (RPS), Sep 15-16, 1994
Scorecard

Final: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (SSC), Sep 17, 1994
Report | Scorecard