Sri Lanka Players Must Play In 60% Of 'Sara' Tourney (25 Nov 1996)

25 November 1996

National players must play in 60% of `Sara` tourney for selection to team

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) took an unanimous decision at its ExCo meeting held on Saturday, that all national cricketers should play in at least 60 percent of the matches in the major domestic tournament - the division I Sara trophy, to be eligible for selection for the national team.

An exception was made to national cricketers playing in the highest level of domestic competition on contracts in other countries, like county cricket in England, Sheffield Shield in Australia etc.

The BCCSL also ruled that a cricketer playing in the major competition in any country should return home two weeks before the national team undertakes a tour, and a cricketer playing in a minor competition in any country, four to five weeks prior to departure.

The BCCSL will also seek the Sports Minister`s approval of these conditions to ensure it remains there permanently.

Cricket Board sources said that already there was criticism from all quarters that the domestic competition is below first-class standard in comparison to other countries. The BCCSL has also found it difficult to attract sponsors for the 1996-97 Sara trophy tournament. The absence of top class players, they fear, would only aggravate the situation further.

After Sri Lanka`s World Cup winning performance early this year, the national cricketers have been in demand from other Testplaying nations to represent them in their domestic tournaments.

With a view to checking the top cricketers from taking flight during the local domestic season, the BCCSL has brought forth these conditions.

Presently, two national cricketers are playing on contract abroad - vice captain Aravinda de Silva for Auckland in New Zealand`s domestic competition - the Shell Cup and, Asanka Gurusinha for North Melbourne in the Australian district tournament.

The new policy will certainly affect Gurusinha, who is playing in a minor competition.

Cricket Board sources said that Gurusinha had been informed of the new conditions governing national players playing overseas by chairman of selectors Duleep Mendis, prior to his departure to Australia.

Gurusinha left for Australia last Tuesday, informing the BCCSL that he was available and, that he would join the team in New Zealand.

Gurusinha however, has got himself into a spot by not giving sufficient time to consider his letter (it was given to the Cricket Board a day before his departure) and, for giving an interview to a Sinhala newspaper (not ANCL) without obtaining prior permission from the BCCSL.

Cricket Board sources said that their constitution allows only the captain and manager to talk to the press. Any other member of the team must obtain prior permission before doing so.

Gurusinha, it is understood, will be asked for an explanation and the matters referred to the BCCSL disciplinary committee.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net/lakehouse)