Local stars to pick and choose SLT20 matches
Sri Lanka’s top cricketers will skip most of the matches in the country’s inaugural premier league Twenty20, dealing another blow to the struggling event, according to an official.
Current captain Tilakaratne Dilshan, former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, all-rounder Angelo Mathews and fast-bowler Lasith Malinga are among the local players expected to miss most of the 10-day tournament starting on Thursday.
“They are likely to choose what matches they want to play because they are being rested for the upcoming Australian tour,” said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Brian Thomas.
The Australian team arrives in Colombo on July 30 to play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s during the tour that ends on September 20.
Sri Lanka’s authorities were forced to shorten the T20 league after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) barred its players from taking part in the tournament. The BCCI was concerned that the tournament’s commercial partner had links with Lalit Modi, the sacked former chief of the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL). Organisers denied the involvement of Modi, who faces criminal charges and accusations from Indian cricket authorities over millions of dollars misappropriated during his three-year tenure as IPL chairman.
SLC had modelled its tournament on the IPL and had hoped to recruit players from Australia, South Africa, the West Indies, New Zealand while 17 Pakistan cricketers were also signed up. However, the tournament was reduced to a local event after the SLC cited a financial crunch.
Sri Lanka co-hosted this year’s World Cup at a cost of $69 million, far in excess of its projected budget, amid allegations of financial mismanagement. The SLC has sought a government bailout to settle World Cup debts.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2011.
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This was an ill thought out scheme by SL Board which is already seeking the $69 million bailout from the government!. How exactly were they going to finance this venture ?. It is not a wise move to go bankrupt trying to copy your neighbours!