The President writes ...

The tour party all arrived safely, but tired to the Mount Lavinia Hotel and, after check-in, spent the day relaxing, sleeping and eating. The presidents cocktail hour was well attended and enjoyed by everyone apart from the president. He was asleep.

The squad had a good net session at the Doc(!) Thurstan college sports ground and looked resplendent in their training tops. Thankfully all came through unscathed and the team for the first game is unchanged.

There was a city tour around Colombo on the air conditioned coach, during which the first tour fines were imposed. We stopped in the independence square , see photo, before continuing to the Cricket Club Cafe for dinner.

The Cricket Cafe is jam packed with memorabilia from all time and all countries. Hours could be spent digesting the material, from countless bats to a letter from John Major!

The group did ample justice to an adequate repast and returned to the hotel in good spirits.

The serious part starts tomorrow with the first game.