SL players told to get fit or get out

29 June 2017 09:58 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan Government yesterday warned the National Cricket Team to get fit in three months or get booted out. The ultimatum came after the squad was found to be unfit for the series against Zimbabwe which starts on Friday (30).

“No one has a satisfactory level of fitness, but I have made an exception this time,” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said yesterday.

Players are selected by an independent panel for the National Team, but the Sports Minister must give final approval before they can represent the country.

Jayasekera said no member of the 13-member squad met the required international fitness standards and noted that high levels of injuries were due to poor endurance.

Only two players - Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Madushanka - scored high marks in the ‘yo-yo’ endurance test which is mainly running against the clock, a source familiar with the process told AFP. Three other fitness tests were also carried out.

Controversial fast bowler Lasith Malinga who weighs 80 kilos (176 pounds) failed one test, the source said, and barely scraped through the rest. He is officially under observation. “Malinga has suffered recurring injuries partly because of the poor fitness,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

The typical body fat amount for a cricketer was 16 percent, but most Sri Lankan players had over 26 percent, Jayasekera said.

He has warned any player with a body fat percentage over 16 will not be allowed to represent the country. (AFP)

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Comments - 16

De Silva Thursday, 29 June 2017 10:19 AM

Very Good. they are professionals paid hansomely.

Labby Thursday, 29 June 2017 10:38 AM

It's a blessing in disguise that they did not have these tests in 1996.

Sewnewi Thursday, 29 June 2017 11:06 AM

Physical fitness is more important than winning matches.

mnsmart Thursday, 29 June 2017 01:36 PM

Same should applied to the management too. if fit for the job stay if not get out

ranjan_uk Thursday, 29 June 2017 03:12 PM

Can we have some general knowledge tests for the politicians as well to see if they pass them?

Amy Thursday, 29 June 2017 03:15 PM

these people in the govt want to destroy the only proper international sport srilanka has .. via DM Android App

L C A Thursday, 29 June 2017 03:28 PM

Obviously fitness and performances should go in a well balance manner. No use how much you are fit enough if you do not perform and no matter how much you perform if you are not fit enough.

nilame Thursday, 29 June 2017 03:53 PM

Could this be applied for our members of the cabinet too ?

Ajith Siriwardana Thursday, 29 June 2017 04:17 PM

How about Arjuna, Aravinda and Asanka during 1996... ??? They were match winners with their pot bellies... True I agree fitness is important but still .......

Pf Thursday, 29 June 2017 04:51 PM

No arguement.They need fitness.Talents and fitness are not equal.We can find very fit people who never play cricket.That is it. via DM Android App

AS Thursday, 29 June 2017 05:04 PM

There should be a fitness test (mental and ethical) for the members of Parliament as well.

ceylon Thursday, 29 June 2017 11:15 PM

srilanka has good eaters than good players. via DM Android App

googly Friday, 30 June 2017 12:55 AM

Physical fitness goes together with mental fitness, which is equally important. The Hon. Minister should consider implementing a mind training programme for the cricketers to ensure better focus, concentration, ability achieve team goals and mindfulness.

asa Friday, 30 June 2017 01:45 AM

very good move via DM Android App

Chris Friday, 30 June 2017 06:25 AM

Aw come on, times have changed, now fitness goes hand in hand with talent and performance. Now cricketers play right through the year unlike Arjuna era where we played couple of series against ohers per year at the most.

Priyantha Abeyratne Friday, 30 June 2017 07:25 AM

If they were more fitter , imagine ones turned into two , and twos into threes they would have scored ?

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SL players told to get fit or get out

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