Those late from IPL’would be replaced’says minister
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage warned that Sri Lankan cricketers who do not return from Indian Premier League (IPL) 2011 tournament before the 5th of May would be replaced.
Cricketers from Sri Lanka taking part in the IPL have been asked to come to Colombo by the 5th of May by minister Aluthgamage.
The minister said that this was a decision supported by the cricket selectors as the team needs to prepare well in advance before the forthcoming England tour.
“There has been no resistance to the decision from the players” said Minister Aluthgamage.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence their tour of England with a test against the home team in Cardiff on the 26th of May.
Indian Request
The minister said it’s not possible to accommodate the request of the Indian Cricket Board to allow Sri Lankan cricketers to participate in the IPL tournament until the 22nd of May.
“Many changes have taken place within the team and we need to put our national interest above every thing else” said minister Aluthgamage.
The minister said if there were any players who did not comply with the 5th of May deadline that they would be replaced.
Flexibility
BBC Cricket Commentator Roshan Abeysinha said that although the players are contractually bound to return when called by the board of cricket control the minister needs to be more flexible when dealing with a regional power such as India.
Meanwhile minister Aluthgamge had complained to the Indian Board of cricket control how Sri Lankan ministers were treated during their visit to watch the world cup finals played in India.
Responding to a question minister Aluthgamage said that this incident had nothing to do with the early recall of Sri Lankan players taking part in the IPL tournament.
Eleven Sri Lankan cricketers are taking part in the IPL tournament.
The players are Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Pradeep, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv , Nuwan Kulasekara , Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Mallinga, Angelo Mathews, Muttiah Muralitharan and Thisara Perera.
BBC – Pix by AP
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It is rather strange that the Sports Minister failed to consider ‘national interest’ when drastic changes were made to the team for the world cup finals against India, on the eve of the finals, that cost us the world cup. I wonder what political machinations led to our defeat. Was there corruption and and payments by Indian bookies to relevant powers for SL team to lose the finals?
IPL tournament is an important fixture in the world cricket calendar. It is watched allover the world. Many multi-national renowned cricketers participate in it. It is an honour for our boys to have been chosen to play also and are doing well. It gives them excellent practice playing against world renowned cricketers, before the test tournament in England.
For the Sports Minister to insist that our players cut-short the IPL tornament and return to SL for ‘match practice’ is ridiculous.
Actually, the Sports Minister should resign for the world cup final loss caused by him by drastic team changes. The selection panel resigned, and so did the captain and vice captain to express their disgust at political interference and corruption.
I supsect the Sports Minister is green with envy that our boys selected for the IPL are paid handsomely. I suggest the Sports Minister does not make such deadlines and threats but arrange with the English Cricket Board to postpone the England tournament to accommodate the IPL fixture.
PREJUDICED UNSPORTY MINISTER KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT INTERNATIONAL OR LOCAL SPORTS.IT SEEMS THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO INTERVENE INTO THIS MESS TOO AND CORRECT THE SITUATION.HOW COME MOST OF THE MINISTERS ALWAYS HAVE THEIR FOOT IN THE MOUTH AND HAVE THE PRESIDENT CORRECT THINGS FOR THEM? NOR FORGETTING THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS ‘GOOFS’.
This Sri Lankan minister is going to bring destruction to Lanka team; this is all because of his pride.
Normally pride comes before destruction.
If this minister not humble himself and allow Lankan players to continue till the end of IPL, and if players decided to not obey to the minister’s pride; Sri Lankan team will face a similar situation and will start an era same like Sri Lanka lost almost entire team when the players went and played with South Africa during the “Partite regime”.
After all Sri Lankan cricketers are not a bunch of robots belongs this minister, they must be allowed to
Enjoy bit of freedom and happiness, after finishing a strenuous session of world cup cricket,
I strongly believe Lankan players playing in the IPL will get the best of experience in the world class cricket, than practicing at local pitches.
So I thing the best is this minister must “BACK OFF” and change of is pride mind.
A Sri Lankan Cricket lover.
Well, what I feel is, Minister is taking revenge for the shabby treatment our President got from Indian Cricket board at the expense of our cricketers (in the long run Sri Lankan cricket of course!).
no one will succeed being revengers, if the case is wht Amara said above. But i think now it’s enough abt all playings & better to mind our own buisness instead. There’ll not be Cricket without money & money involves in all kinds of malicious corruptions..! So no one can “play” in perfect. Just enjoy if win & not to be sad if loose. Tht’s it..!