Aussies invite Lanka for T-20 series in February
Sri Lanka cricketers will have a busy schedule in the coming years - File pic
Besides the Australian tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for July this year, the two teams will meet once again in February next year in Australia for a three-match T-20 series.
In February next year, the Lankans will be going through an off peak season — following their gruelling full tour of South Africa that would keep the Lankan national cricketers occupied from December 2016 to January 2017.
In February 2017, the Australians are scheduled to host New Zealand on a series that would include three ODIs and 3 T-20s, before they travel to India on their important four-Test away series.
However, the Lankan administration is not going to miss this opportunity of pressing for a few more games. As the two already lined up countries are playing series of ODIs also, the Lankan cricket administration has sought the possibility of having some ODIs included in the itinerary.
Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva told the Sunday Times, “The T-20 series is on. However we are seeking the possibilities of having a few more games included in the series – preferably One-Day Internationals”.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricketers whose yearly contracts ended in February will travel to England with a provisional one tour contracts.
Explaining the current situation about their yearly contracts, de Silva said, “The provisional contracts were put in to practice because there were several senior important players who are on the injured list and we do not want to hinder the process. However, at the end of the England series we want to change the process of the contracts.
“The next proposed contract would be a three-year one that would take the Lankan cricketers up to the next ICC World Cup in 2019. In all probabilities the contracts will include a retainer and an incentive scheme so that it would be fair by the players.”
Under the prevailing system, players in the top category earned more than 55 million rupees a year through the contract fee and match fees alone.
Explaining further about the proposal, the SLC secretary said “We are hoping to have further discussion on the proposal. In all probabilities, the SLC marketing team along with the three most seniors players and the Cricket Committee led by Aravinda de Silva will be part of the discussions.”
Nevertheless, contracts between the Cricket Administration and the senior players have been a thorny issue that had led to a lot of heart burns in the past.