New guidelines introduced to uplift domestic cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has introduced several guidelines to improve the standards of domestic cricket in the country.

The new guidelines will come into effect with the beginning of upcoming SLC Major Clubs T20 tournament which will commence on the 27th of May.

One of the major guidelines imposed on domestic cricket is related to the registration of overseas players representing domestic clubs. The new guideline requires clubs to only sign overseas players who have played first-class cricket.

Speaking to Daily FT, Tournament Committee Chairman Samantha Dodanwela explained the purpose behind bringing in the newly proposed guideline.

“I have made it mandatory that all overseas players who come to play in Sri Lanka have to be first-class players. We are bringing overseas players to enhance the quality of cricket in the country. By bringing them we are depriving 44 local players from taking part. If the clubs are going to bring mediocre cricketers for the sake of playing, there is no purpose” Dodanwela said.

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“This year nobody can play if they have not played any first-class cricket. The clubs have been informed that when they are registering overseas players to check their credentials and attach their career stats and the link. In the past, there have been instances where overseas players paid the club to come and play in Sri Lanka because they have not played any first-class cricket before. They are coming to Sri Lanka to get first-class status and qualify themselves to go and play in other countries. I got to know that and that is why I put my foot down and stopped it. Some club officials don’t like it but we are here to see cricket doing well. If you don’t take certain decisions we will never improve our cricket. I am doing this for the betterment of Sri Lanka cricket” he added.

The second guideline is related to the payment structure imposed by clubs. SLC have made it mandatory that the payments of players are to be transferred to their accounts online.

“We have made it mandatory that all these payments should be transferred online to the player’s account, and payment slips have to be forwarded to the SLC. That way the clubs cannot wait without paying and submit bogus receipts. Online payment came into effect last year. My main goal is to look after the players. Player payment is a must. We should understand that all the money we get from the ICC is because of the players, not because of the officials. We have to accept that fact.” Dodanwela said.

SLC also plans to protect Sri Lanka’s international cricket venues from being overused for club matches and schools matches.

“I have given a proposal to SLC to try to avoid playing at international venues where Sri Lanka Cricket has ownership. Floodlight venues like the R Premadasa Stadium, Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium and Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy to curtail club matches being played there. When grounds are given for all sorts of club and school matches the wear and tear is very high, that is why the wickets have become very slow. At least the international venues which are owned by SLC have to be safeguarded.” Dodanwela said.