India's second one-day cricket international against Sri Lanka, was abandoned after just 18 balls because officials ruled the pitch at Indore was too dangerous for play.

With the ball breaking through the pitch's dusty top surface from the very first delivery, the decision to stop play was taken after just 15 minutes leaving Sri Lanka on 17 for one after three overs.

The decisive moment came when Roshan Mahanama was cracked on the fingers by a delivery exploding off a length from Sanath Jayasuriya. At that point the match ground to a halt as a huge group of officials joined the players on the pitch.

Sri Lanka's Captain Arjuna Ranatunga and his Indian counterpart Sachin Tendulkar conferred with the umpires, both teams' coaches and Zimbabwean match referee Justice Ahmed Ebrahim as the 25,000 sell-out crowd became increasingly restless.

The discussion continued for around 40 minutes before the teams were led off the field. The referee said the decision had been made because of "unplayable pitch conditions." India won the first match in the series.

The Indian Captain Sachin Tendulkar expressed concerns about the pitch even before the match began

Mr Ebrahim said: "It's a sad day for cricket. It was the view of the two captains in particular ... that it was dangerous. Both expressed concern for the safety of the players. Undoubtedly there was an element of danger present."

Both Ranatunga and Tendulkar had complained about the pitch on Wednesday but it was decided it was too late to prepare an alternative track on the square.

Sri Lanka, choosing to bat and hoping to square the series after losing the opener at Guwahati earlier this week, had made a dreadful start when pinch-hitter Romesh Kaluwitharana played the fourth ball from Javagal Srinath onto his stumps with only one run on the board.

Two balls later Sanath Jayasuriya was dropped at first slip by Rajesh Chauhan as Srinath got a ball to pop up off a length in a shower of dust.

Off-spinner Chauhan, opening the bowling at the other end, immediately found huge turn to underline the poor quality of the surface.

On Wednesday both teams had asked for the track on the square to be replaced, with one with more grass. Pitches at Indore are traditionally regarded as favouring batsmen.
 

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