Cricket: Thorpe: We have got somerubblein store.

Byline: Mike WALTERS

GRAHAM THORPE took one look at the building site hosting England's first one-day international against Sri Lanka and scoffed: "It will look nice when it's finished."

The acting skipper had to pick his way through Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium's scaffolding, breeze-blocks and half-built staircases to inspect the pitch yesterday.

And although he had no complaints about the wicket or dressing rooms, the rest of the ground was strictly a hard-hat zone - and not just for batsmen wearing crash helmets.

Thorpe, standing in for the injured Nasser Hussain, said: "The playing surface looks fine, which is the most important consideration for the players.

"As far as the surroundings go, well . . . it will look great when it's all done.

"I don't think the building work is going to be an issue. As long as we've got a changing room to put our kit in and a decent surface, we'll be happy enough."

Rarely, if ever, have England been asked to play an international fixture in a setting health and safety inspectors at home would shut at a stroke.

Two years ago, the stadium was a pipe-dream and the site buried in 65 acres of jungle.

It was the brain-child of Sri Lankan board president Thilanga Sumathipala and, somehow, was passed fit to stage this match by ICC match referee Cammie Smith, who inspected it a fortnight ago.

For the last six months, an army of 2,000 labourers have worked round the clock to try to get the stadium ready for its inaugural one-day international today.

Earlier this year they fell behind schedule because of industrial action when three workers were allegedly bitten by poisonous snakes as they cleared the dense undergrowth.

Yesterday, as England arrived for practice, the car park was still being built and the team coach came to rest outside the VIP entrance between a crane and a steamroller.

Thorpe has demanded maximum commitment from his players and insisted there would be no anti-climax after England's Test series triumph.

He said: "Sri Lanka are a top one-day side, especially at home. I want us to keep our foot down, keep the tempo up and play aggressive cricket.

"With three games in five days, we are going to be tested physically. We've got to get stuck in and prove we are a match for them in the one-day games as well.

"In this heat, it's important to get as much fluid on board as possible because constant running between the wickets takes a lot out of you. At our warm-up match in Colombo on Wednesday, Michael Vaughan was so exhausted after his innings he was unable to field.

"I was pretty tired after the Colombo Test, but the intensity of one-day cricket is something else.

"Some of the guys only arrived in Sri Lanka last week and they are still acclimatising.

"Those of us who have been away for two months are used to it now, but I can remember how I felt after our first tour match.

"There are some tired legs in our squad, which is why we'll have to dig very deep over the next few days."

Asked if he had received any good luck messages or advice from crocked skipper Hussain, Thorpe chuckled: "No, but I'm sure he's got his feet up at home with a nice glass of red wine - and good luck to him."

CAPTION(S):

SITE FOR SORE EYES: Graham Thorpe inspects the pitch yesterday - in the half-built stadium