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The Sri Lanka Cricket Thread

Statement from SLC:

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to express extreme disappointment at the baseless allegation leveled against certain Sri Lanka national players, coaches, selectors and officials by certain quarters with a vested interest, who allege that the present administrators of Sri Lanka Cricket are working towards promoting an agenda of a certain religious group, which the detractors describe as ‘Born Again’’.

Sri Lanka Cricket steadfastly denies this false and fabricated allegation which has no substance to it.

We wish to caution the persons with vested interests, who throws such allegations to be mindful of the fact that the game of cricket is followed ardently by every citizen of this country and is the primary sport that unites the Nation, which consists of a population representing diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions.

Sri Lanka Cricket Team has experienced the love and affection of the entire country and its people, when the Sri Lanka National Team won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, T20i World Cup in 2014 and also when it achieved other great wins, such as the Asia Cup victories.

We wish to state that SLC works in line with the ICC Anti-Discrimination Policy for International Cricket which confirms a level of commitment from the ICC and its Members to promote and encourage participation at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, descent, culture, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and/or maternity status and to ensure that there is no discrimination in the sport.

The public of this country is very well aware that Sri Lanka National Cricket Team has been a place, where talented players from all walks of life have walked in and represented the country and some went onto become the ‘Greats of the Game,’ due to the fact that they were given their due place in the national team owing to the non-discriminatory policy of the SLC

Whilst SLC pays the utmost respect to the right granted on every person by the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka to freedom of religion including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his/her choice, in no way SLC takes into consideration any person's religion or what he/she believes in for any affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Therefore, we wish to reiterate to the ardent fans of Sri Lanka Cricket and the public of this country that in no way Sri Lanka Cricket is carrying out an agenda of a religious group and request them to rally around their beloved National Cricket Team, as done always, in order to carry forward the glory of the ‘One Team One Nation’ brand.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket appointed the following members to the ‘Cricket Committee,’ taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable Namal Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, the new ‘Cricket Committee’ of Sri Lanka Cricket comprises the
following members

1) Mr. Aravinda de Silva
2) Mr. Roshan Mahanama
3) Mr. Muttiah Muralitharan
4) Mr. Kumar Sangakkara
 
The likes of Sangakkara and Muralitharan need to be involved with the national team in coaching capacities instead of serving on these useless committees.

Arthur and his sidekick G. Flower are clueless and need to be sacked ASAP.
 
35 national squad players who administered PCR Tests yesterday (10th February) returned negative Covid-19 results, along with the Coaching Staff, Net Bowlers, and the HPC Staff.

The players were part of the provisional squad who were preparing to take part in the Tour of West Indies.

However, training was halted last week, following Head Coach Mickey Arthur and Sri Lanka Player Lahiru Thirimanne tested Positive for Covid-19.

The players will return to action tomorrow (12th February) with a ‘Fitness Test’ scheduled to ascertain their fitness levels.

The squad will commence training on the 16th February 2021 to take part in the Tour of West Indies, which is under discussion.

Lahiru Thirimanne and Coach Mickey Arthur, who tested positive, are still undergoing treatment.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform that David Sekar, the ‘National Fast Bowling Coach’ announced his resignation from his position, with immediate effect.

He cited personal reasons for his decision.

David Sekar joined Sri Lanka Cricket on 08th December 2019.
 
23rd February 2021
Sri Lanka National Player Upul Tharanga announced his retirement from International Cricket with immediate effect.

In a letter sent to the SLC, Tharanga thanked Sri Lanka Cricket for the support and the guidance rendered to him during his 16 year International Cricketing Career.

He also thanked the coaches, players, administrators, management, and the support staff of the SLC.

“Upul Tharanga has done a tremendous service as a player to Sri Lanka Cricket during his long career and has been an integral part of the National Team during its many achievements,’’ said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Tom Moody as the ‘Director of Cricket,’ effective from 1st March 2021.

His appointment comes following recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee of the SLC to revamp Sri Lanka’s Cricket operations.

Moody's role will be on consultancy basis, and he will have to fulfil 300 days of ‘Mandatory Assignment’ during his contracted 3-year period.

Among many of his duties include the Analysis of the Future Tour Program, focusing on the Domestic Tournament Structure, Player Welfare, Education and Skill Development, Coaching and Support Staff Structure and High Performance and Data Analytics.

Moody once served Sri Lanka Cricket as the National Coach and led the team to the World Cup Final in 2007.

"Tom has worked with Sri Lanka Cricket in the past and has shown results, and I am sure with his working knowledge of the system, Tom will add greater value to our game,’’ said Mr. Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Moody has had many experiences over the cricketing global, some of which include, ‘Director of Cricket’ of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Coach, and now the Director of Cricket of Sunrisers Hyderabad, in IPL. He held the same position with Worcestershire County Cricket Club and was the Head Coach of Western Australia, among other roles in the game.
 
SL's T20 captain Dasun Shanaka isn't able to lead his team in WI due to visa issues.

He had a US transit visa on an old passport...which he lost two years ago therefore cannot get a visa on time.

:))) Wow just wow, why wasn't this flagged earlier ? SLC are trying to rival Ijaz Butt's PCB these days. Good luck Tom Moody, he needs it.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform you that pursuant to a meeting that was held between Mr. Chaminda Vaas and the Management Team of Sri Lanka Cricket, the matters which led to his resignation were amicably resolved.

Mr. Vaas withdrew his submitted Letter of Resignation and agreed to continue as the Fast Bowling Consultant to Sri Lanka Cricket, the position which he held prior to his resignation.

Sri Lanka Cricket acknowledges the valuable services rendered by Mr. Vaas to SLC and the significant contribution he has made to the sport as an iconic player and wishes him well.
 
COLOMBO: Former Australian Test player Tom Moody on Thursday asked lowly-ranked Sri Lanka to end its culture of merely ‘surviving’ in cricket and vowed to shake up the national team ahead of the next World Cup.

In his first public remarks since being hired last month by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to revive the team, the 55-year-old Australian said he was planning a major cultural shift.

He said his observation so far was that Sri Lankan players were ‘just holding on’ without making an extra effort and were merely trying to ‘survive’.

“We need to create an environment within the playing group... within the community of Sri Lanka cricket that [will make them] feel like they are thriving in the organisation, not surviving,” Moody said.


Moody was Sri Lanka’s head coach for two years until 2007 and was chosen for the new post of director at the SLC because of his experience in Sri Lanka and abroad, the board said.

“My direction would be very much around allowing people to grow within the business and uplifting them,” Moody said. “Supporting them and giving them direction.”

His contract is for three years, going beyond the 2023 cricket World Cup.

Former skipper and technical advisor to Sri Lanka cricket Aravinda de Silva said the side would ensure stricter discipline and greater emphasis on player fitness.

“We sometimes see compromises made regarding the fitness of certain players,” he said.

Anyone who did not measure up to the new standards will not be considered for selection, he added.

Sri Lanka are ranked eighth out of nine Test playing nations. In the ongoing tour of the West Indies, Sri Lanka has so far lost the T20 series 2-1 and the ODI series 3-0. The first out of two Tests is underway.

They have lost both their recent Test series 2-0. Sri Lanka were beaten by an innings and 45 runs and then by 10 wickets in South Africa in December and January and then returned home and were outplayed by England in a pair of Tests.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2021
 
COLOMBO (News1st): An audit carried out by the National Audit Office revealed several irregularities that had taken place as Sri Lanka Cricket handed over broadcasting rights between 2013 and 2020.

Bids for handing over broadcasting rights had been called on the 14th of February 2013, while the bids of four entities had been opened on the 16th of March that year.

According to a recent audit on Sri Lanka Cricket, steps had been taken to alter the value of the bids after the bids had been opened following the closing date.

Nimbus Communications Ltd., that submitted a bid of 52,506,000 US dollars had later reduced the value of their bid to 40,615,178 US dollars.

The audit had revealed that the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, on the 13th of June 2013, had decided to handover the bid to Taj Television Pvt. Ltd.

Sri Lanka Cricket had told the auditors that it had signed the agreement for handing over broadcasting rights in Colombo on the 18th of December 2013, while Taj Television Pvt. Ltd. had signed it in Dubai on the 14th of January 2014.

The audit notes that it had taken 27 days for Sri Lanka Cricket to send the agreement to Taj Television Pvt. Ltd.after signing the document.

In his observations, the Auditor General has raised concerns regarding the manner in which the agreement had been signed by backdating it.

It was Nishantha Ranatunga who had served as the Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket when the agreement had been signed.

The audit has revealed several irregularities concerning Sri Lanka Cricket during the process of handing over broadcasting rights.

News 1st will reveal more details on this matter in the coming days.

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/03/30/audit-exposes-misdeeds-of-sri-lanka-cricket/
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the initiation of an inquiry to ascertain the validity of certain media reports which cited that a national player was involved in a brawl during a recent function held at a hotel in the Southern part of the Island.
The Management Committee of the SLC wishes to stress that the discipline of the National players will be strictly monitored, and stern action will be taken against any individual in the event of proven misconduct on disciplinary grounds.

For this purpose, a new Code of behaviour applicable to the players has been promulgated by Sri Lanka Cricket, which will be enforced from the time, the new contract becomes effective.
 
The inquiry panel appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket to ascertain the validity of certain media reports, which cited that a national player was involved in a brawl during a recent function held at a hotel in the Southern part of the Island, arrived at the following conclusion.

The 03 member Inquiry Panel headed by an Independent Attorney-at-Law has found the players' conduct with regard to the alleged incident to be unprofessional and lacking the required level of integrity expected of a National Player.

Therefore, based on the findings and recommendations made by the panel, the Management Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket warned the player not to engage in any conduct which violates the standards of honesty, morality, fair play, and sportsmanship which result in bringing disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket.

The committee also directed the player to attend mandatory counseling sessions conducted by a doctor nominated by Sri Lanka Cricket for a 01 year period.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform you that the 2nd Edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be held from 30 th July to 22 nd August 2021.

‘’We have found a suitable window to hold this year’s edition, whilst we are currently working on finalizing the other details of the tournament,’’ said Professor Arjuna De Silva, Chairman, Management Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The first edition of the LPL, which is Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic T20 league, with an international flavor, was initiated last year and was held at the MRICS, Hambantota, with the participation of 05 teams.

The first edition was held under a successful Bio-Bubble environment, whilst Sri Lanka Cricket will assess the country’s situation and discuss with the Ministry of Health closer to the tournament to ascertain the
 
Sri Lanka cricket team to take 35% salary cut


PROPOSED ANNUAL PAYMENT STRUCTURE

(Each category has three tiers with three different base fee )

Category ‘A’:

Tier-1: $ 100,000

Tier-2: $ 80,000

Tier-3: $ 60,000

Category ‘B’:

Tier-1: $ 65,000

Tier-2: $ 60,000

Tier-3: $ 55,000

Category ‘C’:

Tier-1: $ 50,000

Tier-2: $ 45,000

Tier-3: $ 40,000

Category ‘D’:

Tier-1: $ 35,000

Tier-2: $ 30,000

Tier-3: $ 25,000


Initially Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and his team had appointed Attorney-at-Law Nishan Sydney Premathiratne to hold discussions with SLC and negotiate all matters relating to their contracts, one Indian media said

After national cricketers of Australia, England, and the West Indies, the Sri Lanka cricketers will now have to take a huge salary cut, international media revealed today (10).

Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) new central contracts to the national Test and limited-over squads are 35% less, one report noted.

The new contracts are to be signed before the Lankan white-ball team, under Kusal Perera, tours Bangladesh shortly.

DETAILS

* Under the previous contract, a player in the top category earned $ 130,000 (Rs. 25.6 million per year or Rs. 21,34,220 per month).

* Now a top-category player is offered $ 100,000 (Rs. 19.7 million per year or Rs. 16,41,708 per month).

* Under the present contract scheme, the three main categories will have three sub-categories as well.

* In Category ‘A’ – A Tier-1 player will get $ 100,000 (Rs. 19.7 million per year or Rs. 16,41,708 per month) while a Tier-2 player will get $ 80,000 (Rs. 15.7 million per year or 1.3 m per month), and a Tier-3 player will get $ 60,000 (Rs. 11.8 million per year or Rs. 9,85,024) annual salary contracts.

* It has also been decided that SLC will only offer central contracts to 30 cricketers for the year 2021/2022.

* Despite a significant pay cut, national cricketers have in principle agreed to a new performance-based contract fee structure.

* Initially Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and his team had appointed Attorney-at-Law Nishan Sydney Premathiratne to hold discussions with SLC and negotiate all matters relating to their contracts, one Indian media said.

* “The meeting with SLC was very positive regarding clarity in respect of contract fees and payment structures. Though there has been an overall reduction in the slabs in comparison to last year, the players are in principle in agreement to the new formula through the performance-based model in ascertaining contract fees, subject to the process being transparent, where no player will be unfairly affected or feel hard done by,” Premathiratne has been quoted as saying.

* The players are yet to be categorised and they are awaiting a response during the next couple of days to sign their agreements before heading to Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series.

* Sri Lanka is ranked 7th in Tests, 9th in ODIs, and 8th in T20Is, the lowest it has fallen to in the last two decades.

https://www.nation.lk/online/sri-lanka-cricket-team-to-take-35-salary-cut-82867.html
 
https://island.lk/dimuth-mathews-lakmal-and-others-get-pay-cuts/

Former captains Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal along with current Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and a few regulars will not sign contracts offered by Sri Lanka Cricket after they were forced to undergo significant pay cuts, The Island learns.

The biggest gainers in the new contracts that will be announced shortly will be wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva, who will each earn US$ 100,000. In fact, they are the only two players in the top category.

Mathews will lose as much as US$ 50,000 after his retainer was cut from US$ 130,000 to US$ 80,000. He will turn 34 next month and with the selectors indicating that they intend to move on with a younger crop of players for limited over games, there will be little motivation for him to accept the contract especially with Sri Lanka set to play just two more Tests for this year.

Dimuth Karunarante, who has made rapid strides in Test match cricket this year, will also receive a pay cut of US$ 30,000. Following his stunning hundred at the Wanderers in January and after finishing the Bangladesh series with 427 runs in three innings, Karunaratne, would have at least expected to stay on par with his previous contract of US$ 100,000, but his pay has been brought down to 70,000.

Suranga Lakmal will also get a pay cut of US$ 45,000 having been demoted to the second category from the first tier where he earned US$ 100,000 the previous year.

Everything about the contracts are not gloomy though with someone like Pathum Nissanka, who made a stunning debut in the Caribbean two months ago receiving a retainer worth US$ 55,000.

Kasun Rajitha would consider himself that he has won a lottery with him finishing with US$ 50,000. The quick from Matara, who recently shifted clubs, represented Sri Lanka in just two games last year across all three formats but he ends up with a lucrative pay package. Dinesh Chandimal is in a lower category than Rajitha earning just 45,000 US$.

Danushka Gunatilleke probably gets the unkindest cut of all having been lowered to the last category where he will earn a mere US$ 30,000. The left-hander has emerged as the most consistent batsman in white ball cricket in recent times having had a good tour of West Indies.
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The current seniors like Matthews and Lakmal aren't as big or influential like Sanga and Jayawardene were.

Mickey has started doing the toiletry stuff he is famous for. Cleansing the whole LOI team of seniors and giving captaincy to a guy who was the most clueless captain in their premier t20 tournament. Karunaratne was the natural leader with a very good tactical acumen yet he is replaced and dropped. He couldn't see the worth of Thisara who a good captain and coach could utilize best as an impact player like Russell, Neesham etc. Perera had his best years under Graham Ford who was a very astute coach. Matthews looks t have been sidelined as well for ODIs now.

Think SL is going to take a further nosedive as long as Mickey and Flower are there save for maybe 1 or 2 good players getting developed.
 
Sri Lanka’s leading cricketers led by Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne along with host of senior players, including Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews have refused to sign the central contracts offered by the board which they believe is far less compared to other countries.

If the dispute is not sorted in due course of time, it could well affect Sri Lanka’s bilateral series with India in July, where six white-ball matches are expected to fill the coffers of a cash-strapped cricket board of the island nation.

A statement from the attorney representing almost all top players including the Test skipper Karunaratne, Mathews, Chandimal and others said remuneration proposed to players are one third compared to some other cricket playing nations as per the Federation of International Cricket Association (FICA) report.

The SLC this week said that 24 of the leading players had been offered contracts under 4 categories and they had been given a deadline until June 3 to sign on dotted lines.

In the categories released only six players are in the category A and their annual pay ranges between USD 70,000 to 100,000. Batsman Dhananjaya de Silva draws highest – 100,000 with the rest of them were to receive 70-80,000 US dollars.

Just for comparative analysis, India’s group C (lowest category) centrally contracted players annually earn a retainership fee of Rs 1 crore (USD 137,000).

The Sri Lankan players said in a joint statement that they were “shocked and dismayed” by SLC’s decision to go public with specific payment details of players.

They feel that public disclosure has affected their peace of mind.

“These disclosures amount to a grave security concern to each and every player,” it stated.

The chairman of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the SLC Aravinda de Silva told reporters that they were forced to make harsh decision based on the past performances of the players.

“We wanted to have a key performance indicators for the players so that we could evaluate them,” De Silva said adding that the new pay scheme was an incentive based contract,

The players however refused to take the entire blame for Sri Lanka’s shoddy performances over the years.

They maintain the administrators and the .local structure were contributory factors to Sri Lanka’s decline in international rankings.
 
MenInG said:
Sri Lanka’s leading cricketers led by Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne along with host of senior players, including Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews have refused to sign the central contracts offered by the board which they believe is far less compared to other countries.

If the dispute is not sorted in due course of time, it could well affect Sri Lanka’s bilateral series with India in July, where six white-ball matches are expected to fill the coffers of a cash-strapped cricket board of the island nation.

A statement from the attorney representing almost all top players including the Test skipper Karunaratne, Mathews, Chandimal and others said remuneration proposed to players are one third compared to some other cricket playing nations as per the Federation of International Cricket Association (FICA) report.

The SLC this week said that 24 of the leading players had been offered contracts under 4 categories and they had been given a deadline until June 3 to sign on dotted lines.

In the categories released only six players are in the category A and their annual pay ranges between USD 70,000 to 100,000. Batsman Dhananjaya de Silva draws highest – 100,000 with the rest of them were to receive 70-80,000 US dollars.

Just for comparative analysis, India’s group C (lowest category) centrally contracted players annually earn a retainership fee of Rs 1 crore (USD 137,000).

The Sri Lankan players said in a joint statement that they were “shocked and dismayed” by SLC’s decision to go public with specific payment details of players.

They feel that public disclosure has affected their peace of mind.

“These disclosures amount to a grave security concern to each and every player,” it stated.

The chairman of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the SLC Aravinda de Silva told reporters that they were forced to make harsh decision based on the past performances of the players.

“We wanted to have a key performance indicators for the players so that we could evaluate them,” De Silva said adding that the new pay scheme was an incentive based contract,

The players however refused to take the entire blame for Sri Lanka’s shoddy performances over the years.

They maintain the administrators and the .local structure were contributory factors to Sri Lanka’s decline in international rankings.
Click to expand...

So is the issue that they are getting paid low wages or is it that it was made public?

SL cricket never fail to amuse me.
 
Dhaka: Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur said Thursday that stars Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne could make a return to the squad, despite their axing as players wrangle with the national board over wages.

Sri Lanka left Mathews, Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and senior players behind for their three One-day Internationals in Bangladesh.

Players are refusing to sign new contracts that would cut fees for some by 40 percent.

Changes were also ordered after Sri Lanka lost a one-day series in West Indies 3-0 in March.

Kusal Perera has been made captain for this series while the selectors recalled Kusal Mendis and made him vice-captain. “I think we just took the team in a direction. There’s certainly no door closed on any of them,” Arthur said in Dhaka.

“Angelo and Chandi are fantastic cricketers who are very much part of our Test unit at the moment.”

Arthur said Sri Lanka had to start looking at players for the 2023 World Cup. “That’s the balancing act when you are transitioning a team, how you get it right. We will keep tweaking that until you do it properly,” he said.

Arthur said Sri Lanka needed a tougher middle order and named Kushal Perera, Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva as the names the team would be “banking on”.

In Friday’s final match, they will be battling to avoid a first whitewash defeat to Bangladesh.

“We battled to come to terms with the spinners, which is very surprising for me,” said Arthur.

“The batsmen I see out in the nets are totally different to the batsmen who have gone out in the middle,” he added. “Whether it is performing under pressure or fear of failure - those are things you have to take out of their mind.”

Sri Lanka also need a win to wrack up points for the International Cricket Council’s ODI super league, which counts as qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

“We want to close off here with a good, hard, disciplined performance tomorrow. We want to take a win home,” said Arthur.

https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/...ka-return-says-coach-mickey-arthur-1.79501491
 
Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur comes out as a friendly, jovial and nice guy but when it comes to work ethic, he does not tolerate anything below par. He is famous for dropping of all players Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson during the tour of India in 2013 for breach of discipline. As a result, cricket’s lexicon had a new term – ‘Homework gate’. Arthur, a stern advocate of fitness, during his previous stint with Pakistan axed Umar Akmal in 2017 for poor fitness levels. A team known as not the fittest in world cricket improved their standards remarkably and went onto win the Champions Trophy in England beating arch-rivals India in the final.

Arthur’s fitness regime in Sri Lanka has resulted in a few players getting axed for failing fitness tests such as Dilruwan Perera, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. It has upset a few people and after being overlooked for the tours of West Indies and United Kingdom, Rajapaksa expressed his disappointment in a YouTube interview with journalist Danushka Aravinda.

“When you run on the gym or work out on the gym, I don’t think you can improve your performance… For 12 years I have not suffered a major injury or broken down during a game. I have been given step motherly treatment. The board sorts out my visa and everything to go on tours, but in the last moment I am told that I can not make the tour because my skin folds are high,” Rajapaksa had said.

“When I was dropped, the Head Coach told me that I was running with the gloves in hands and that I didn’t have commitment for running between the wickets,” Rajapaksa had added.

The Island asked Arthur for a comment. “First of all, I want this on record. I don’t want discuss players on public forum. But when a player has a one-sided interview, I feel I need to respond. Bhanuka is a comfort zone player. In Sri Lanka we cannot afford that. His fitness levels are not there where it has to be,” Arthur said.

“He is a very talented cricketer; he’s got great hands and superb hitting ability. His fielding, however, is not international standards. His fitness levels too are not at required standards. We are building a culture to push the players to be the best they can be. We want our best players on the field. He would be in our T20 squad. But at the moment his skin folds have gone up and he’s got to work on it,” Arthur explained.

“Bhanuka has got to make some commitments and he’s got to look after his diet. His excuse has been that he loves chocolates. If you want to be one of the finest cricketers, then you have got to make some sacrifices. We had a diet plan for him and we expected him to look after himself but his skin folds have gone up again.”

Asked on his reservations about Rajapaksa having gloves in his hands while running between the wickets, Arthur was unimpressed with the sloppy attitude. “I was upset that he was running with gloves in hand. It highlights the fact that he didn’t push the first run hard. It was just sloppy cricket and I don’t like sloppy cricketers. That shows me his attitude as he jogs the first run. If someone has scored 120 in 40 degrees heat, I can understand that. But I want our players to get out of their comfort zones.”

“Bhanuka failed the skin folds test and went home without doing the rest of the tests. Just shows me the attitude and the short cuts he is looking to take.

“Kusal Janith has lost 15 percent of his skinfolds. In that humidity of Dhaka, the other day, he batted for 42 overs and scored a match winning hundred. If he is not at the best standards, he gives it away at 60 odd. Fitness gives you the base to score those runs and be electric on the field.”

https://island.lk/i-dont-like-sloppy-cricketers-arthur/
 
Mamoon said:
The likes of Sangakkara and Muralitharan need to be involved with the national team in coaching capacities instead of serving on these useless committees.

Arthur and his sidekick G. Flower are clueless and need to be sacked ASAP.
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I am pretty sure this idea would have been discussed at board level. There could be reasons why some of these legends are not involved in the coaching set up:
1. They are asking for too much money which the board cant afford ; and/or
2. They themselves are not interested in coaching and are busy with their business ventures or
3. Personal likes/dislikes/politics
 
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The Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament has been postponed tentatively till August due the prevailing pandemic situation in the country.

The second edition of the LPL was scheduled for next month but had to be postponed due to the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after a discussion decided to delay the tournament until the end of August.

A fresh date to create a window to host this tournament will be decided once the country is safe and favourable to conduct this event. (AN)

http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/06/05/sports/250891/lanka-premier-league-t20-postponed
 
Sri Lanka’s national cricket players Saturday refused to sign new pay contracts by a weekend deadline, but said they will take part in the tour of England later this month.

A lawyer representing the cricketers said they did not agree with a new performance-based pay scheme designed by a cricket board panel that included former Australia star Tom Moody.

“Players refuse to sign annual and tour contracts until the pay dispute is resolved,” lawyer Nishan Premathiratne said in a statement.

The statement came as Sri Lanka Cricket extended the June 3 deadline until Sunday.

The statement said players will take part in the upcoming tour of England where they are due to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches without contracts.

“Even when players are refused pay, they will play for the country because that is their main objective.”

Under the proposed pay structure, former captain Angelo Mathews and current Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne suffered the biggest cuts.

Mathews’ annual fee fell from $130,000 a year to $80,000 while Karunaratne was offered $70,000, a drop of $30,000.

When the new pay plan was unveiled last month, players said it was “non-transparent” and urged Sri Lanka Cricket to not hold them at gunpoint.—AFP
 
These new pay structures will only encourage more young Sri Lankan cricketers to pursue a career in franchise cricket as a priority.
 
MenInG said:
Sri Lanka’s national cricket players Saturday refused to sign new pay contracts by a weekend deadline, but said they will take part in the tour of England later this month.

A lawyer representing the cricketers said they did not agree with a new performance-based pay scheme designed by a cricket board panel that included former Australia star Tom Moody.

“Players refuse to sign annual and tour contracts until the pay dispute is resolved,” lawyer Nishan Premathiratne said in a statement.

The statement came as Sri Lanka Cricket extended the June 3 deadline until Sunday.

The statement said players will take part in the upcoming tour of England where they are due to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches without contracts.

“Even when players are refused pay, they will play for the country because that is their main objective.”

Under the proposed pay structure, former captain Angelo Mathews and current Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne suffered the biggest cuts.

Mathews’ annual fee fell from $130,000 a year to $80,000 while Karunaratne was offered $70,000, a drop of $30,000.

When the new pay plan was unveiled last month, players said it was “non-transparent” and urged Sri Lanka Cricket to not hold them at gunpoint.—AFP
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That is a ridiculous drop.

SL cricket need to stop making a fool of themselves. Either find ways of making more money or stop playing cricket completely. Stop acting like bankrupt all the time.
 
COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lanka’s cricket board said on Tuesday its players have agreed to tour England, even though a contract dispute remains unresolved.

The players, including test captain Dimuth Karunaratne and ODI skipper Kusal Perera, had refused to sign new contracts which offer lower base salaries and more performance-based incentives.

“The team will go ahead with the tour. All the players are available,” a Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman told Reuters.

The players will leave for England early on Wednesday, he added.

The players had criticised the “unfair and non-transparent” contracts in a statement last month but continued with their tour of Bangladesh for a three-match one-day series.

“They will play this tour without signing any contract,” players’ representative Nishan Premathiratne told the ESPNcricinfo website ahead of the players’ departure for London.

“They have signed a voluntary declaration, but there’s nothing there about player remuneration. They have always been committed to playing for Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka will play three one-dayers and three Twenty20 Internationals in England. The limited-overs tour begins on June 23.

Rueters
 
Sri Lanka Cricket’s newly elected administration held its 1st Executive Committee meeting on 18th June, 2021.

During the meeting, following decisions were taken, focusing on the development of Cricket in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket to bid for Major ICC Events
 Sri Lanka Cricket decided to bid for 03 Major ICC Men’s events to be held during the period of 2024 to 2031.
Accordingly, bids will be submitted for the ICC T20 World Cup, Men’s Cricket World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka Cricket, in certain events, will make a ‘Joint Bid’ in collaboration with an ICC Member country or countries.

Contracts for Domestic Cricketers
 Sri Lanka Cricket decided to offer Annual Player Contracts for 60 Domestic Cricketers.
The is to help those cricketers sustain themselves financially at a time when cricket is not being played due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The eligible players will be chosen by the Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Residential Program for U19 Cricketers
Sri Lanka Cricket will hold a ‘Residential Training Camp’ for U19 Cricketers focusing on the upcoming ACC U19 Tournament and the U19 ICC Cricket World Cup.
A squad of 65 players already chosen via an Island-wide Talent Profiling Program will undergo the 21-Day Residential Training Camp in Kandy. The ACC U19 tournament will be held in Dubai in October 2021, and the U19 ICC Cricket World Cup will be held in January 2022 in West Indies.

Residential Program of ‘A’ team and ‘Emerging’ Cricketers
Sri Lanka Cricket will hold a 'Residential Training Program' for 26 selected cricketers.
This is to prepare the players for the upcoming ‘A’ team and related squad’s program.
The residential training will be held at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, starting from 25th June, whilst the program will run closer to a month.

Financial Grants for Clubs
Responding to the appeals made by the Member Clubs, Sri Lanka Cricket decided to provide financial assistance to the clubs, which are facing difficulties due to the Covid – 19 pandemic.
The Clubs eligible to receive the proposed financial assistance will be recommended by a Special Committee, which will evaluate based on a given criteria.
The funds will be disbursed to sustain the cricketing programs of the respective clubs, including player welfare.
 
Colombo, June 26, 2021: With the 2nd Edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) set to commence shortly the exclusive rights holders of the event, the Innovative Production Group FZE (IPG) has decided to terminate the ownership of the franchises of Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viiking for the reason of non-compliance.

As the official rights holders of the event for 2020 - 2024, the IPG group as per their contract with the owners of the league Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), is the only authorized entity to sell Team Franchise ownership of the league. Accordingly, the Innovative Production Group FZE (IPG) has received multiple requests from many interested parties and in compliance with the contractual obligation of the IPG and Sri Lanka Cricket, for the said League, as well as in keeping with the requirement of the International Cricket Council (ICC), have submitted all KYC documents for approval to finalize the new set of owners for the said teams.
 
Sri Lanka fans abandon players after thrashing by England
Social media campaign #unfollowcricketers takes of to shun Sri Lanka flops

Disgruntled Sri Lanka cricket fans have launched a campaign to shun their team on social media after they slumped to a dismal T20 series drubbing in England.

England recorded a thumping 89-run win at Southampton on Saturday to sweep the contests 3-0 — a fifth consecutive series defeat for Sri Lanka in the shortest format.

As the hashtag #unfollowcricketers began to trend on Facebook on Sunday, thousands of fans boycotted the Facebook pages of vice-captain Kusal Mendis and opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka.

“The aim of the campaign is to unfollow failed Sri Lankan cricketers from their verified profiles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” a statement said.

Fans were also sharing memes asking each other not to watch the national team on television.

“Unfollow all these failed cricketers,” said Ahmed Inaamulhaq on Twitter. “Don’t let them have the social media attention if they can’t perform for the national team. They do not deserve massive fan bases.”

There was no immediate reaction from any of the senior players, but some observers posted that the latest performance in England was one of the team’s worst in three decades.

“I have been watching cricket matches since 1993 but I have never seen such a weak Sri Lankan cricket team,” sports reporter Manjula Basnayake said on Twitter. “They can’t hit the ball.”

England’s 180 proved well beyond Sri Lanka, who were all out for 91 as left-arm quick David Willey took 3-27.

England and Sri Lanka meet again in the first of three one-day internationals at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, with the Sri Lanka’s batting set for another stiff test against the 50-over World Champions.

“We knew it was going to be a tough series coming into it, but our batting wasn’t up to the mark,” said Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera. “That was our main issue. We couldn’t get used to the pace and the bounce of the pitches and conditions.”

Sri Lanka have played 10 Twenty20 series since October 2018 and won only one. They have lost two each to England, New Zealand and the West Indies and one each to Australia, India and South Africa.

https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/sri-lanka-fans-abandon-players-after-thrashing-by-england-1.80243103
 
Sanath Jayasuriya on Sri Lankan cricket: The situation is critical, we need immediate measures to save it

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya says that the situation of the national cricket team is very critical, and it needs immediate measures to save the cricket of this country. England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs to win the T20I series 3-0.

n Sunday, former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya slammed the national team's performance in the recently-concluded T20I series against England.

England won the three-match T20I series by 3-0 against England. In the first match played in Cardiff, England drubbed Sri Lanka by eight wickets. In the second match at the same venue, England won by five wickets. The third T20I was played in Southampton, where England humiliated Sri Lanka by 80 runs and registered their fourth-largest victory margin in terms of runs in the T20 format.

Sanath Jayasuriya wrote on his Twitter that it is a very sad day for the Sri Lankan cricket. Jayasuriya's remarks came after Sri Lanka's poor performance in the third T20I.

"Very sad day for Sri Lankan cricket. The situation is critical. We need immediate measures to save cricket," Sanath Jayasuriya wrote on Twitter.

With scores of 111 for 7, 129 for 7, and now 91 all out, Sri Lanka's batsmen have looked strangely clueless. They were never able to register a total that threatened England in the three-match series. Only one Sri Lankan batsman crossed the 40-run mark in the series. With time running out ahead of the T20 World Cup, it's an area that will have to improve if Sri Lanka are to challenge.

Sri Lanka avoided setting a new benchmark for the lowest T20 score in their history -- which remains 82 against India in February 2016 -- but any hope of a surprise victory had long since vanished.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sanath-jayasuriya-england-vs-sri-lanka-t20-series-sri-lankan-cricket-1819956-2021-06-27
 
Looks like this is the end of the new era for SL team. Kusal Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka in am embarassing video shown breaking Covid protocols, smoking ciggies and gestures that can be considered inappropirate suspended and being sent back to SL from the ENG tour
 
King_Kohli said:
Sanath Jayasuriya on Sri Lankan cricket: The situation is critical, we need immediate measures to save it

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya says that the situation of the national cricket team is very critical, and it needs immediate measures to save the cricket of this country. England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs to win the T20I series 3-0.

n Sunday, former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya slammed the national team's performance in the recently-concluded T20I series against England.

England won the three-match T20I series by 3-0 against England. In the first match played in Cardiff, England drubbed Sri Lanka by eight wickets. In the second match at the same venue, England won by five wickets. The third T20I was played in Southampton, where England humiliated Sri Lanka by 80 runs and registered their fourth-largest victory margin in terms of runs in the T20 format.

Sanath Jayasuriya wrote on his Twitter that it is a very sad day for the Sri Lankan cricket. Jayasuriya's remarks came after Sri Lanka's poor performance in the third T20I.

"Very sad day for Sri Lankan cricket. The situation is critical. We need immediate measures to save cricket," Sanath Jayasuriya wrote on Twitter.

With scores of 111 for 7, 129 for 7, and now 91 all out, Sri Lanka's batsmen have looked strangely clueless. They were never able to register a total that threatened England in the three-match series. Only one Sri Lankan batsman crossed the 40-run mark in the series. With time running out ahead of the T20 World Cup, it's an area that will have to improve if Sri Lanka are to challenge.

Sri Lanka avoided setting a new benchmark for the lowest T20 score in their history -- which remains 82 against India in February 2016 -- but any hope of a surprise victory had long since vanished.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sanath-jayasuriya-england-vs-sri-lanka-t20-series-sri-lankan-cricket-1819956-2021-06-27
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My favourite Non-Indian player. However, Jayasurya is a corrupt man himself. He destroyed evidence and sabotaged an ICC corruption investigation and therefore he is worse than the 3 young Srilankans.
 
The Sri Lankan cricket team has found itself muddled with an embarrassing situation right before the start of the limited-overs series against India. As many as five Lankan cricketers have refused to sign a contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the series against India, and have hence been left out of the residential camps.

The five cricketers, namely Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha, were offered tour contracts by the SLC for the India series but they all denied. As per SLC CEO Ashley de Silva the five players were to sign the contract and enter bio-bubble but the talks didn't materialise.

“Until the national contract issue is resolved they were asked to sign the tour contract if they are going to be available for the Indian series so that they can go into a bubble as we are investing in them. But they were reluctant to sign the tour contract and therefore they were left out of the residential camps. They did not join the bubble in Dambulla or Colombo,” said Ashley de Silva.

The doors for the series haven't been closed for the players yet. The players have the opportunity to sign the contract until the training starts. If they do so, they will be given permission to join the camp.

“These five were offered a tour contract. That is when you participate, they will also be considered for national selection for the Indian tour. For the Indian tour, you need to have a tour contract, which they didn’t sign as they are part of the 24 players offered national contracts. If they sign the tour agreement before the commencement of training for the Indian tour the selectors will consider them,” concluded De Silva.

The limited-overs series between India and Sri Lanka is set to begin on July 13, with 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is to be played between the two sides.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...r-series-left-out-of-residential-camps/779107
 
Series against second-string Indian team an insult to Sri Lankan cricket: Arjuna Ranatunga

Sri Lankan cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga has criticised the SLC for accepting to host a second-string Indian team for 3 T20Is and as many ODIs.

Experts feel that in times of Covid-19 pandemic, fielding two parallel teams in different cricketing assignments could become the norm. While the Indian cricket team has started this trend with the tour of Sri Lanka, a number of other nations are expected to follow. Yet, for Sri Lanka legend Arjuna Ranatunga, hosting a 'second-string' Indian team for an international series is 'insulting'.

Ranatunga, who isn't known to mince his words, criticised Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for agreeing to host the Men in Blue in a white-ball series that will feature 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.

With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, etc. on the tour of England, the selectors have chosen some 'white-ball specialists' for the tour of Sri Lanka while keeping the forthcoming T20 World Cup in mind.

Ranatunga, however, feels the SLC should've refused to host this 'second-string' Indian team.

"This is a second-string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs," Ranatunga, one of Sri Lanka cricket's greatest servants, told reporters at his residence.

The India vs Sri Lanka bilateral series was earlier scheduled to take place in 2020 but had to be suspended due to Covid-19 outbreak. With the month of July emerging as the only vacant spot in the team's cricketing schedule, the BCCI decided to schedule the series.

With the Covid-19 restrictions preventing the Indian players on the tour of the UK to travel to Sri Lanka, and hence a separate parallel team of 'limited-overs specialists' had to be prepared. Ranatunga, however, isn't fancying the proposition of the primary Sri Lankan team playing against a 'weaker' Indian team.

"India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that," the former Sri Lanka skipper said.

Sri Lanka haven't had the best of results when it comes to T20Is. When the islanders took on England last month in a 3-match series, they suffered a clean sweep. That was also the 5th T20I series that Sri Lanka lost in a row.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/series-against-second-string-indian-team-an-insult-to-sri-lankan-cricket-arjuna-ranatunga/779224
 
Sri Lanka becomes the team to lose more matches in ODI history - 428 matches.
 
King_Kohli said:
Series against second-string Indian team an insult to Sri Lankan cricket: Arjuna Ranatunga

Sri Lankan cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga has criticised the SLC for accepting to host a second-string Indian team for 3 T20Is and as many ODIs.

Experts feel that in times of Covid-19 pandemic, fielding two parallel teams in different cricketing assignments could become the norm. While the Indian cricket team has started this trend with the tour of Sri Lanka, a number of other nations are expected to follow. Yet, for Sri Lanka legend Arjuna Ranatunga, hosting a 'second-string' Indian team for an international series is 'insulting'.

Ranatunga, who isn't known to mince his words, criticised Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for agreeing to host the Men in Blue in a white-ball series that will feature 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.

With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, etc. on the tour of England, the selectors have chosen some 'white-ball specialists' for the tour of Sri Lanka while keeping the forthcoming T20 World Cup in mind.

Ranatunga, however, feels the SLC should've refused to host this 'second-string' Indian team.

"This is a second-string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs," Ranatunga, one of Sri Lanka cricket's greatest servants, told reporters at his residence.

The India vs Sri Lanka bilateral series was earlier scheduled to take place in 2020 but had to be suspended due to Covid-19 outbreak. With the month of July emerging as the only vacant spot in the team's cricketing schedule, the BCCI decided to schedule the series.

With the Covid-19 restrictions preventing the Indian players on the tour of the UK to travel to Sri Lanka, and hence a separate parallel team of 'limited-overs specialists' had to be prepared. Ranatunga, however, isn't fancying the proposition of the primary Sri Lankan team playing against a 'weaker' Indian team.

"India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that," the former Sri Lanka skipper said.

Sri Lanka haven't had the best of results when it comes to T20Is. When the islanders took on England last month in a 3-match series, they suffered a clean sweep. That was also the 5th T20I series that Sri Lanka lost in a row.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/series-against-second-string-indian-team-an-insult-to-sri-lankan-cricket-arjuna-ranatunga/779224
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Going by performances against England, SL would do well to compete with India 3rd string let alone 2nd.
 
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal were expected to pick up the mantle for Sangakarra, Jaywardene. But these players just stagnated for the worst and never kicked on and now you have a completely raw team in all departments
 
The Sri Lankan cricket board should try to host more games against teams like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and West Indies. The teams morale is going to be low, players are going into big tours out of form, and the coach is about to lose his sanity.

Build up your teams confidence, play against teams at your level, and once your players are performing consistently, the confidence will be carried on to the big tours against teams like England and South Africa.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
The Sri Lankan cricket board should try to host more games against teams like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and West Indies. The teams morale is going to be low, players are going into big tours out of form, and the coach is about to lose his sanity.

Build up your teams confidence, play against teams at your level, and once your players are performing consistently, the confidence will be carried on to the big tours against teams like England and South Africa.
Click to expand...

That doesn't always work, in fact it comes you an inlfated sense of your abilities and confidence. Case in point, Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe in 2018 and then we got brutally shown up and exposed in the Asia Cup 2018 against India which was without Kohli and Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan players should be grateful for the opportunities they are getting and being given and need to rise to the occasion and become heroes.
 
Savak said:
That doesn't always work, in fact it comes you an inlfated sense of your abilities and confidence. Case in point, Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe in 2018 and then we got brutally shown up and exposed in the Asia Cup 2018 against India which was without Kohli and Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan players should be grateful for the opportunities they are getting and being given and need to rise to the occasion and become heroes.
Click to expand...

Pakistan in the UAE are a poor LOI team, we would’ve lost to Afghanistan as well if it wasn’t for Shoaib Malik’s heroics.

I watched every SL game on this tour to England and I think they’d even struggle to ‘rise to the occasion’ against teams like Afghanistan.
 
its very sad, they have pakistan's problems, but more acute given their smaller population. they are still running a semi pro setup in a professional era. they got lucky with guys like sanga and mahela, and they took for granted theyd keep producing players like that, but in a team with no leaders young players will find it extremely difficult to develop.
 
Sri Lankan cricketers are popular and the team is liked around the world, but what's happened to Sri Lankan cricket should be a lesson to others. It seems that their cricketers are prioritising the short formats and that is one of the main reasons why they are struggling.

I was chatting with a Sri Lankan friend and he was saying that another reason is the lack of investment and quality in first-class cricket, where a number of undeserving players are being picked.
 
Saj said:
Sri Lankan cricketers are popular and the team is liked around the world, but what's happened to Sri Lankan cricket should be a lesson to others. It seems that their cricketers are prioritising the short formats and that is one of the main reasons why they are struggling.
Click to expand...

Are they? Nobody even knows who plays for Sri Lanka anymore - it's the usual assorted collection of Pereras, Mendises and Silvas.

Nobody has been able to craft a personality in the last 5 years like a Malinga, or Sangakkara or Jayasurya or Ranatunga. Until that happens, they'll continue to flounder.
 
Sri Lankan cricket board reacts to Arjuna Ranatunga's 'second string team' remarks

SLC responded by saying: "Out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats or in some form and not a second-string team as claimed."

Sri Lanka Cricket have reacted to former World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga's comments on Team India's 'second-string team' remarks on Friday. As per SLC, Team India, which will take on the Lankans, are filled with specialists of shorter formats.

The Sri Lankan board reacted after Arjuna Ranatunga criticised the cricket board for hosting a "second-string Indian team".

"This is a second-string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs," Ranatunga, had told reporters at his residence, according to news agency PTI.

SLC responded by saying: "Out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats or in some form and not a second-string team as claimed."

"This is the latest norm in the cricketing world, especially the full ICC member countries, as they maintain specialist squads and players for each format of the game," the statement added.

The Men in Blue, under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan, will take on Sri Lanka for three-match ODI and T20I series. The Indian cricket team that will play in Sri Lanka will miss the services of skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and several senior players, who are currently touring in England.

Team India, for the very first time, decided to divide its squad into two teams. One team, with skipper Kohli and senior players, were sent to England for the WTC Finals and Test series against Root and Co. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan was named the captain to lead the other team for a limited-over series, under coach Rahul Dravid. The team led by Dhawan has several new names.

https://www.wionews.com/sports/sri-lankan-cricket-board-reacts-to-arjuna-ranatungas-second-string-team-remarks-395415
 
YousafTheBeast said:
Pakistan in the UAE are a poor LOI team, we would’ve lost to Afghanistan as well if it wasn’t for Shoaib Malik’s heroics.

I watched every SL game on this tour to England and I think they’d even struggle to ‘rise to the occasion’ against teams like Afghanistan.
Click to expand...

Rebuilding a new side is not a pleasant process. They will need to suck up defeats and the selectors, team management need to he patient with the players they select
 
Five Players Refuse to Sign SLC Contract, Left Out of Camps

Once world-beaters, Sri Lanka cricket has been in the doldrums for the last few years. The team isn’t as strong as it used to be a decade back, and the issue between the players and the board seem to be making matters worse for the Asian giants. Now another controversy has erupted prior to the series against India.

As many as five cricketers have refused to sign the contract for the series against India. Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha, were offered tour contracts, but all of them denied. As per SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, all the players were supposed to sign the contract and enter the bio-bubble.

“Until the national contract issue is resolved they were asked to sign the tour contract if they are going to be available for the Indian series so that they can go into a bubble as we are investing in them. But they were reluctant to sign the tour contract and therefore they were left out of the residential camps. They did not join the bubble in Dambulla or Colombo,” said Ashley de Silva.

The doors for the series haven’t been closed for the players yet. The players have the opportunity to sign the contract until the training. “These five were offered a tour contract. That is when you participate, they will also be considered for national selection for the Indian tour. For the Indian tour, you need to have a tour contract, which they didn’t sign as they are part of the 24 players offered national contracts. If they sign the tour agreement before the commencement of training for the Indian tour the selectors will consider them,” concluded De Silva.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/india-vs-sri-lanka-five-players-refuse-to-sign-slc-contract-left-out-of-camps-3916670.html
 
As a big fan of Lanka Cricket in the past, it is quite unfortunate how far down Lanka cricket has fallen.

I believe they should, for starters, recall seniors back into the national side - Mathews and Thisara Perera.
 
Last 25 matches across all formats:

Lost 18
Drawn 3
Won 3
No result 1
 
Last 9 ODIs:

Lost 7
Won 1
No result 1

Last 14 T20Is;

Lost 12
Won 1
No result 1
 
National Player Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been handed a one-year ban from all forms of cricket, which is suspended for two years and fined US$ 5,000 after an inquiry found that the player has breached the obligations of Player Contract 2019/2020 while appearing in Social and other Media Interviews.

In the meantime, a decision has been taken to draft Rajapaksa into the 13-member squad, currently undergoing training in Colombo, under a Bio-Bubble focusing on future tours.

The said decision was taken after Rajapaksa having achieved the required fitness levels, which is one of the prerequisites for national selections.

He is expected to join the bio-bubble tomorrow.
 
Sanath Jayasundara, a former performance analyst at Sri Lanka Cricket, has been banned from all cricket for seven years after the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The ban is backdated to 11 May 2019, when he was provisionally suspended.

Following a full hearing and presentation of written and oral argument, the Tribunal found Jayasundara guilty of:

Article 2.1.3 – offering a bribe or other Reward to the Sri Lankan Sports Minister to contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an International Match

Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation into possible corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code

Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: Jayasundara’s attempt to bribe a Minister is a grave transgression while the efforts to cover up his tracks and the lack of remorse are hugely disappointing.

“We won’t tolerate corrupt conduct in our sport and my team will be relentless in preventing such behaviour. This ban should serve as a deterrent for anyone who may be tempted along the wrong path.”
 
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Sri Lanka's cricket reputation suffered a double blow Monday when an official was banned for seven years for trying to bribe the country's sports minister, while a top player was fined for giving interviews criticising the national board. The International Cricket Council said it had banned former Sri Lanka Cricket performance analysts, Sanath Jayasundara, for offering money to sports minister Harin Fernando to influence an international match. Jayasundara is the latest in a series of players and officials to be banned for corruption.

"Jayasundara's attempt to bribe a minister is a grave transgression while the efforts to cover up his tracks and the lack of remorse are hugely disappointing," ICC anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall said in a statement.

"We won't tolerate corrupt conduct in our sport and my team will be relentless in preventing such behaviour," he warned.

Jayasundara was found guilty of charges of offering a bribe to "improperly" influence the unnamed international game and of delaying the investigation into the incident.

The bribe is reported to have been offered in 2018 when Fernando said that the ICC considered Sri Lanka to be the "worst country for cricket corruption".

Earlier, Twenty20 Bhanuka Rajapaksa was fined $5,000 and handed a suspended ban for giving interviews criticising the national board.

Sri Lanka Cricket said 29-year-old Rajapaksa was in breach of his contract by giving the interviews to local media and on social media platforms.

His one ban was suspended for two years, however, and the board said Rajapaksa has been included in a training squad for a series against India starting July 13.

Rajapaksa gave interviews last month saying that he was unfairly excluded from the just-concluded tour of England where Sri Lanka lost the one-day and T20 series.

He played his first T20 against Pakistan in October 2019 and the last in January 2020 against India.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sri...-banned-for-attempt-to-bribe-minister-2479867
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that 29 players, out of the 30 members nominated by the Cricket Selectors to be considered for the White-Ball Series against India, have signed the Tour Contract.

Angelo Mathews, who was included in the respective 30-member squad, requested Sri Lanka Cricket to relieve him from National Duties, owing to personal reasons, until further notice.
 
Sri Lankan Team's Flight Diverted To India After Pilots Report Fuel Loss

It seems as if the turmoil in Sri Lanka cricket refuses to go away. After having been pounded in England in the limited-overs series, the side now awaits the Indian challenge back home. However, head coach Mickey Arthur has revealed that while returning from England, their flight ran into fuel issues and had to make an emergency landing in India. This whole episode was quite nerve-racking for the players.

“We had to divert to India because we lost fuel. When I landed in India, I switched my phone on and I had a couple of messages from Wayne Bentley [England’s operations manager] who updated on the situation and that was a really nerve-wracking time for all of us,” Arthur told talkSPORT.

Sri Lanka’s ODI squad also faced an anxious wait for the results of their RT-PCR tests after their return home owing to a Covid-19 outbreak in the England squad after the final match of their tour in Bristol on Sunday.

Series against India starts next week

Their upcoming ODI series against India starts next week, on July 13, and even though they returned negative lateral-flow tests on their arrival in Colombo, they still await the outcome of their RT-PCR tests on Tuesday night.

“We’ve done another RT-PCR where the results come out tomorrow [Wednesday]. At the end of that ODI there was a fair amount of banter between the two teams - quite a lot of chat and quite a lot of talk - so it did bring about some anxious times,” Arthur went on to add.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/sri-lankan-teams-flight-diverted-to-india-after-pilots-report-fuel-loss-3938930.html
 
Batting Coach of the Sri Lanka National Team Grant Flower has tested positive for Covid 19.

He was found to be positive during a PCR test carried out on him today when Flower showed mild symptoms of the disease.

Immediately upon identification, Flower was isolated from the rest of the team members (players and coaches) who are undergoing quarantine following their return from England.

He is now undergoing due medical protocols.

Whilst a new round of PCR Tests were conducted among the remaining squad members this evening.
 
Impressed with the pace oftheir bowling attack. Just need to learn to move the ball around as wel though.

I like their intent and the energy levels.
 
Today I felt like a traitor supporting the Lankans throughout the match, was happy to see them score 270+. I actually wanted them to beat us till the end. Then I saw the stupidity of Chameera and stupidty of the Captain with his fielding and I knew they very much deserved to lose. Utterstupidity. This team cannot be helped. I don't think even Afghanistan and Ireland players are this stupid. Next match, I hope we bat first and score a 400+.
 
Realromeo said:
Today I felt like a traitor supporting the Lankans throughout the match, was happy to see them score 270+. I actually wanted them to beat us till the end. Then I saw the stupidity of Chameera and stupidty of the Captain with his fielding and I knew they very much deserved to lose. Utterstupidity. This team cannot be helped. I don't think even Afghanistan and Ireland players are this stupid. Next match, I hope we bat first and score a 400+.
Click to expand...

I can't believe my eyes how Lanka lost this match
 
No. 9 in ODI rankings
No. 9 in T20 rankings
No. 8 in Test rankings

Unprecedented lows for Sri Lankan Cricket.

Really sad to see how much they have fallen behind since the retirements of Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Dilshan and Herath. Their recent decisions to leave out Matthews, Perera, Chandimal, Thirimanne even after the suspension of their "supposed core" of Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka has been dictatorial, egotistic and inept to say the least.

Hearing Mickey Arthur and his staff is likely to get a boot soon as well.
 
Realromeo said:
Today I felt like a traitor supporting the Lankans throughout the match, was happy to see them score 270+. I actually wanted them to beat us till the end. Then I saw the stupidity of Chameera and stupidty of the Captain with his fielding and I knew they very much deserved to lose. Utterstupidity. This team cannot be helped. I don't think even Afghanistan and Ireland players are this stupid. Next match, I hope we bat first and score a 400+.
Click to expand...

Same.

As an Indian, i would have been happy to see Sri Lanka win.

They badly need success, even if it is against a B team.

If we continue to crush our opponents like that we will not have any international cricket to watch hence i don't think i am a traitor. I am just looking at the long run and for my own selfish interests
 
Sri Lanka Cricket will conduct an Invitational T20 League with the participation of topmost National and First-Class Cricketers as part of preparations for the upcoming South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka and the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

The Tournament, which will be known as the ‘SLC Invitational T20 League,’ will commence on the 12th of August 2021 and take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with the participation of four teams, namely the ‘Blues,’ ‘Reds,’ ‘Greens,’ and ‘Greys.’

Each team will play 06 games in the initial round of the League’, whilst the top 2 teams will go into the finals of the tournament, which will be played on the 24th of August 2021.

The Tournament will be played in accordance with international standards, and the games will be played as ‘Double Headers,’ with the first game starting at 02.30 PM and the next one at 07.00 PM.

‘This tournament is aimed at giving much-needed match practice to the players, ahead of the important international cricketing fixtures, and also give match exposure to the players, who did not get an opportunity to play during Sri Lanka’s Tour of England and also the concluded series against India,’ said Mr. Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.

A team will comprise of a 15-member squad.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that 18 players signed the National Player Contracts, which came into effect from 01 st August 2021.

The new contract will be for a 05 month period and will end on the 31 st December 2021.

The players signed the contracts without any deviation from the contracts offered previously, which was formulated by Sri Lanka Cricket along with the Technical Advisory Committee.

The players were chosen under four categories and were nominated by the Selection Panel, based on a set of criteria such as Performance, Fitness, Leadership/Seniority, Professionalism/Code of Conduct, and Future/Adaptability.

The criteria and the allocation of points to individual players were shared among the players before they signed the contracts.

In the meantime, Angelo Mathews, who was among the players offered a contract was not considered, as he is currently unavailable for selection, whilst Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis are currently serving a ban.

Isuru Udana has retired from International Cricket.

The Players who were given National Contracts

1) Dhananjaya De Silva
2) Kusal Perera
3) Dimuth Karunaratne
4) Suranga Lakmal
5) Dasun Shanaka
6) Wanindu Hasaranga
7) Lasith Embuldeniya
8) Pathum Nissanka
9) Lahiru Thirimanne
10) Dushmantha Chameera
11) Dinesh Chandimal
12) Lakshan Sandakan
13) Vishwa Fernando
14) Oshada Fernando
15) Ramesh Mendis
16) Lahiru Kumara
17) Ashen Bandara
18) Akila Dananjaya
 
NOC is required from SLC to play in another country: CEO

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva said that any Sri Lankan player who wants to play cricket in another country should first obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the country’s governing sports body.

“I have read through the media that some players are planning to go abroad and play cricket, but wherever they are going, they need to get a No Objection letter from us. Without a No Objection letter, they cannot take part in any tournament, they will not be encouraged. They can go to other countries, but they will not be able to play any cricket,” said de Silva.

When it was pointed out that these players were not under contract with SLC, de Silva replied: “Even if the players are not under contract with SLC, they must still get a NOC from us. If you are taking part in a tournament in any other country, you are required to get a NOC from SLC. So far, no one has applied.”

The past week the social and print media has been speculating that three Sri Lankan cricketers Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka are planning to go to the US and play cricket.

The three players are presently undergoing a one-year ban and two-year suspended ban from all forms of cricket after being found guilty of breaching the team’s bio-bubble while on the tour to UK recently.

https://www.ft.lk/sports/NOC-is-required-from-SLC-to-play-in-another-country-CEO/23-721932
 
OMB said:
NOC is required from SLC to play in another country: CEO

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva said that any Sri Lankan player who wants to play cricket in another country should first obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the country’s governing sports body.

“I have read through the media that some players are planning to go abroad and play cricket, but wherever they are going, they need to get a No Objection letter from us. Without a No Objection letter, they cannot take part in any tournament, they will not be encouraged. They can go to other countries, but they will not be able to play any cricket,” said de Silva.

When it was pointed out that these players were not under contract with SLC, de Silva replied: “Even if the players are not under contract with SLC, they must still get a NOC from us. If you are taking part in a tournament in any other country, you are required to get a NOC from SLC. So far, no one has applied.”

The past week the social and print media has been speculating that three Sri Lankan cricketers Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka are planning to go to the US and play cricket.

The three players are presently undergoing a one-year ban and two-year suspended ban from all forms of cricket after being found guilty of breaching the team’s bio-bubble while on the tour to UK recently.

https://www.ft.lk/sports/NOC-is-required-from-SLC-to-play-in-another-country-CEO/23-721932
Click to expand...

Does any other board does this ? even BCCI doesn't do this. Bizarre.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the following appointments made by the Executive Committee of the SLC in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee, effective 2nd September 2021.

· Avishka Gunawardene

Former Sri Lanka Star Mr. Avishka Gunawardene was appointed as the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka U19 Team.
His appointment is effective until 31st December 2022.

Gunawardene, an ICC Level III qualified coach, held the positions of Sri Lanka U19 coach, ‘A’ Team, and the coach of the 'Emerging Team' in his previous stints with the SLC.

He also held the role of ‘Batting Coach,’ of the National Team, during several international tours.


. Mahinda Halangoda

Mr. Mahinda Halangoda was appointed as the Team Manager of the Sri Lanka U19 Team.
His appointment is effective until the completion of the 2022 ICC U19 World Cup.
Halangoda, in his previous stints with the SLC functioned as the Team Manager of Sri Lanka U19 Team, Emerging, and also the ‘A’ Team.
 
The retirement of Jaya and Sanga in quick succession was a big blow to Sri Lankan Cricket. I feel Sri Lanka has lost interest in Cricket. Perhaps we'll soon see a Sri Lankan Football team emerge in a few years time:11:
 
9th September 2021 Sri Lanka National Men’s T20 team will leave for Oman on the 03rd October 2021 to take part in two T20 games vs Oman, ahead of its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, which will be played in UAE and Oman from 17th October to 14th November, 2021.

The two games to be played on the 07th and 09th October will provide the Sri Lanka team more preparation ground for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Following the two games against Oman, Sri Lanka will play in two ICC-organized World Cup warm- up games, on the 12th and 14th October 2021, before commencing its T20 World Cup Campaign.

"We are looking to play many games as possible leading into the World Cup in similar conditions the team will experience in the UAE. The games against Oman and the 2 ICC practice games will allow us this opportunity," said Mr. Ashley de Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Sri Lanka will start its T20 World Cup campaign, playing against Namibia, on the 18th October 2021, at the Sheika Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, and will play Ireland on the same venue on the 20th October.

The game against the Netherlands will be played on the 22nd of October at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Capture.JPG
 
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Sri Lanka Cricket vehemently denies allegations leveled by certain media reports, which cited that some of the players in the Sri Lanka National team, who played in the T20i series against South Africa, did not fully commit themselves or deliberately underperformed on the field.

Sri Lanka Cricket has not received such a complaint from the ‘Team Management’
against any player of the National squad.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform you that it was the same group of players who played in the ODI series which Sri Lanka won against South Africa.

Sri Lanka not only won the ODI series vs South Africa 2 – 1 but also gained crucial points and climbed up in the rankings of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

It is understood and acknowledged by the fans that the Sri Lanka National Team, since the recent past is, progressing forward by winning important contests and heading in the right direction.

Therefore, Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to request from the respective news organizations, which published the false and fabricated news item to follow ethical journalism practices, as such, false reporting will destabilize and scuttle the National Team’s preparations ahead of the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Such false reporting will also mentally affect the players, who are showing commitment and desire to count their presence in the team, as witnessed in the recent competitions, Sri Lanka played.
 
Sri Lanka have become a very unusual team.

They can beat big teams but can also lose badly against average/minnow teams.

Consistency is missing.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardena as the ‘Consultant Coach’ for the National Teams, effective 1st January 2022.

Jayawardena, in his new role, which is effective for a period of one year, will be in charge of the overall cricketing element of the national teams and will provide invaluable strategic support for the players and management teams at the High-Performance Center.

‘’We are extremely happy that Mahela is joining the National Team for an extended role, especially given the context that Sri Lanka has a heavy international calendar during the year 2022,’’ said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.

“Mahela’s contributions during the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup became invaluable for the overall performances of our team in the concluded event,’ De Silva, further added.

Despite the new appointment, Jayawardena will continue to perform in his role with the Under-19 team, as it prepares for next year’s ICC under-19 World Cup to be held in West Indies.

“This is an exciting opportunity to work with the national cricketers and coaches in our various development squads, including the U19 and A Team teams, to help us do justice to the enormous cricketing talent and potential in Sri Lanka,” said Mahela Jayawardena.

“I am very passionate about Sri Lankan cricket and believe that with a coordinated and focused team effort, taking a holistic approach working across all age groups, we can achieve consistent success in the future,” he added.

"My main role will be supporting our team of national coaches and support staff in terms of our preparation and strategic-thinking during the coming year.”

He was appointed to the latest role by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.
 
Sri Lanka have some good young players.
Problem with Sri Lanka Board is they lack patience with their players and try to replace them other set of new untested players.
With their new team, it will be difficult for them to win overseas tests but they can surely upset big teams in their homeland with their finger spinners.
Now with inclusion of quality players like Asalanka, Nissanka, Jayawickrama they are moving in positive direction.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Rumesh Ratnayake as the interim coach of the National Team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka.

Ratnayake is currently serving as a Fast Bowling Coach at the High-Performance Center.

In the meantime, Ruvin Peiris was appointed as the ‘Batting Coach’ of the National Team for the series against Zimbabwe.

Peiris is attached to the High-Performance Center as a ‘Batting Coach.’
His appointment is also an interim arrangement.

Mahela Jayawardena, the Consultant Coach of the ‘National Teams’, will leave for West Indies on the 09th January 2022 to join the U19 Team, which is already in the Caribbean, to take part in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

He will be with the U19 team during the World Cup.
 
05 th January, 2022

Bhanuka Rajapaksa informed his resignation from Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate
effect.

Rajapaksa, in his letter of resignation handed over to Sri Lanka Cricket, said the
decision to resign was taken after considering his family obligations.

“I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking
this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations,” he
said in his letter of resignation.

He also wished Sri Lanka Cricket continued success in its future endeavors.
Rajapaksa represented Sri Lanka, both in ODIs and T20Is.

==

For reference:

Pramod Bhanuka Bandara Rajapaksa, popularly known as Bhanuka Rajapaksa, is a former professional Sri Lankan cricketer, who played limited over internationals for the national team. He was a left-handed batsman who bowls right-arm medium. He was born in Colombo. Wikipedia

Born: 24 October 1991 (age 30 years), Colombo, Sri Lanka

Batting: Left-handed

Bowling: Right-arm medium

Number: 25 (Galle Gladiators / Batsman)

ODI debut (cap 2021): 18 July 2021 v India

T20I debut (cap 83): 5 October 2019 v Pakistan

Last T20I: 4 November 2021 v West Indies
 
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