Lanka Premier League Will Enhance Our Player Development - Sri Lanka Coach, Mickey Arthur
Published - 15 Nov 2020, 12:14 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:36 AM
Head coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team, Mickey Arthur believes that the organization of the Lanka Premier League(LPL) will be helpful for cricket in Sri Lanka in the future.
The LPL is the first major T20 league in Sri Lanka where superstars from different countries will participate. The tournament will commence on November 26th with the final scheduled for December 16th. Due to the situation created by the Coronavirus, all the matches including the final will take place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
Colombo and Kandy will meet in the opening game and the other three teams Jaffna, Galle, and Dambulla. The league has however suffered a major blow when international superstars like Andre Russell, David Miller, and Faf du Plessis have pulled out earlier.
LPL is a very good initiative by the SLC: Mickey Arthur
Mickey Arthur appreciates the efforts put in by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board to get permission for conducting the tournament after initially being postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.
He also said that it is a positive move towards the rebuilding of the national team which has suffered some all-time lows in recent years as the LPL will help the youngsters to be fast-tracked in the national team.
Mickey Arthur told cricket.lk, “I think the LPL is a very good initiative by the SLC and one that I think will bear fruit in the future by fast-tracking young players’ development.”
The South-African said that the youngsters will learn how to perform under high-pressure situations as LPL will provide them with an opportunity, and they will get better with experience. The 52-year-old, who has been involved in different leagues and several teams in his illustrious coaching career feels that budding cricketers grow in a competitive environment where there are pressure and expectations.
The 2017 Champions Trophy-winning coach reckons that these youngsters will gain invaluable lessons from overseas players and coaches.
Arthur continued, “There are many ways it enhances our player development with the most important one being teaching players how to perform under pressure as this is an art that comes with experience, the LPL will provide them with that opportunity.”
“I have seen in leagues that I have been involved with around the world how the players grow because of the excitement of the pressure and expectations, the interaction with overseas players and coaches, and being around a professional environment,” he added.
Also Read: Under-fire Virat Kohli Faces Heat Again As His Old Tweet Goes Viral After His Diwali Message
