New Zealand Cricket said that the country will stage its first day-night cricket test next March "after Auckland City Council approved the use of Eden Park for the match against England." The game, the first of a two-match series, will be played from March 22-26, with the second test in Christchurch from March 30 to April 3 (REUTERS, 8/27).
Int'l Cricket Council match referee Andy Pycroft reportedly sought security assurance from the Sri Lankan cricket board for the remainder of the series against India following "boorish" fan behavior during the third ODI in Pallekele on Sunday. Fans, "angered by the Sri Lankan cricket team’s continued poor performances, threw water bottles into the ground as India reached within eight runs of winning the match and sealing the five-match series." Play was halted for more than 30 minutes "while riot police arrived and escorted fans in the grass banks." Both teams returned to finish the game (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 8/28).
Thailand's Buriram Circuit "will sign a three-year deal to join the MotoGP calendar from next season," series promoter Dorna announced. The inclusion of Thailand on the '18 MotoGP schedule "has been anticipated since the start of the season," as Buriram had been due to host its first grand prix event this year before "sponsorship issues caused it to be delayed." Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will travel to Bangkok this week "to sign an agreement covering the next three years on Thursday" (MOTORSPORT, 8/28).
