Sri Lanka Tour Of England In Jeopardy As 38 Players Refuse To Sign Annual Contract

The Sri Lankan tour of England has landed in serious jeopardy after the players who are expected to be selected, refused to sign the contracts offered by SLC.

The development is a part of the Sri Lankan men’s cricketers’ reluctance towards SLC’s new central contracts, which they believe does not compensate senior players adequately besides lacking transparency.

While the players haven’t been centrally contracted since October 2020, the series that have followed since then have been been played under a succession of temporary contracts.

But, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the players have had enough of it and they are set for a confrontation with the SLC over the next 72 hours. The team is due to leave for the UK on Wednesday.

As many as 38 players have signed a statement refusing to sign the contract. One of players main contention is that the workings of the grading system devised by the board to allot contracts of varying value has not been made clear by the board.

Besides the issue of the lack of transparency, the players have made it clear that they would prefer the only criteria for drawing up a contract lists should be their individual performance and fitness standards.

“Because of the problems with the transparency of the ratings system devised by SLC, the players will not sign the [tour contract],” the release signed by 38 players said as quoted by Cricinfo.

“The tour contract also refers to matters of the annual [main] contract for 2021, which is yet unsigned,” he said. “In the event, the annual contract is not settled and a dispute is pending, the validity of the tour contract referring to an unsigned contract is also an issue.” their lawyer, Nishan Premathiratne, told Cricinfo.

And with the annual contracts offered to just 24 players- a reduction from the 30 who were offered central contracts in the last round- the cricketers are also suggesting that some compensation should be given to a wider group.

“In addition, the players have decided they will not sign the contracts until players who have performed well in past years are looked after fairly,” the statement said.

Also Read: Predicted India Squad For Sri Lanka Tour

List of Sri Lankan players who have refused to sign the contract:

Kusal Perera, asun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Oshada Fernando, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ashen Bandara, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamil Mishara, Praveen Jayawickrama, Roshen Silva, Minod Bhanuka, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Ishan Jayaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dananjaya Lakshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga