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Cricketers refuse to sign contract ahead of Zimbabwe tour

19 October 2016 11:01 am - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s National cricketers and their Board are squaring off for a stand-off over a fresh contract, with the players firmly rejecting to sign the new performance-based agreements on offer.

The new contract sees a substantial cut in players’ annual contract fees although they have been offered significant win bonuses and individual performance bonuses.

But the players have registered their firm disapproval, demanding a ten percent increase in their contract fees instead.

The dispute comes just days ahead of the team’s departure to Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series followed by a Tri-Series also involving the West Indies.

Skipper Angelo Mathews, his Deputy Dinesh Chandimal and veteran spinner Rangana Herath who are in the top category failed to reach a compromise when they met the Board’s CEO Ashley de Silva yesterday. They will meet board officials again this morning in the hope of avoiding a full blown crisis.

SLC’s decision to introduce pay-cuts was largely motivated by finding the Board had disbursed Rs. 684.85 million - approximately around 33 percent of Board’s income - among the 16 players in the National Squad during the previous contract year.

A player in the top category received a contract fee of US $165,000; in category 2, US $100,000; US $70,000 in category 3; and US $40,000 in category 4 during the 2015-2016 contract period which ended in February in addition to match fees, 10 percent share from the ICC and ACC events and a percentage from team sponsorship.
But SLC’s new administrators decided to reduce this substantially where a player in the top category will now receive a reduced annual contract fee of US$ 125,000 as opposed to the US$ 165,000 received last year.

A player in category 2 will receive US $ 80,000 while the contract fee for category 3 has been set at US $ 60,000. A category 4 player will receive an annual fee of US $ 40,000 and US $ 20,000 per player in category 5.

Accordingly, the Test match fee has been brought down to US $ 5000 from US $ 7500.This amount will be increased to US $ 10,000, if they win.

Also, every century scored or five or more wickets taken in a Test match will earn a player an additional US $ 5000.
The ODI and T20 match fees remain the same at US $ 3000 and US $ 2000 respectively. However, in order to create competitiveness and encourage individual performance, the Board is offering US $ 5000 for every century scored in a limited-over match and a five-wicket haul taken.

In T20’s, this has been increased by further US $ 2500, meaning a century or a five wicket-haul will fetch them US $ 7500.

In 2014 players and Board engaged in a major contract stand-off after SLC refused a share of ICC and ACC events. (Champika Fernando)


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  Comments - 13

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  • kaboos Wednesday, 19 October 2016 11:15 AM

    Good opportunity to test with new set of players. Those old guys will not do something significant either in the Zimbabwe tour. . True colors will surface in the South African tour.

    Silly point Wednesday, 19 October 2016 11:20 AM

    This maybe a stupid question but do these gentlemen pay income tax ??

    cricket fan Wednesday, 19 October 2016 11:35 AM

    10% increase but cant win ODI or T20? what madness

    cheers Wednesday, 19 October 2016 11:50 AM

    Task is so easy for the selectors now who ever does not sign does not go on tour or play for SL

    RW Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:14 PM

    cant they serve the country with low salary like our politicians via DM iOS App

    De Silva Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:18 PM

    Ignore the fellows

    S kumara Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:22 PM

    We should send govt MPs and SLC official to play cricket free of charge which will provide lot of entertainment .Anyway they are always on foreign tours

    buwa Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:22 PM

    they have got the taste of what the Board has offered is good on performance basis via DM Android App

    Waz Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:25 PM

    I totally agree with the boards decision to amend the contacrt to reflect performance of the player. Too many players have underperformed and just play for the money.

    katus Wednesday, 19 October 2016 12:30 PM

    Thanks to Great Sanga and Legend Mahela these cricketers are not worth to play even club cricket. . How many of you all play IPL.. Indian Cricket board will not tolerate these types of demand .. Sack all of them.

    chandra Wednesday, 19 October 2016 01:07 PM

    SLC earns because of the players' performance. Rather than wasting in other agendas better to pay players who deserve. via DM Android App

    Kabuk Wednesday, 19 October 2016 04:11 PM

    Get Mathew and Chandimal out others will kneel one by one. .

    Malee Wednesday, 19 October 2016 04:29 PM

    These underpaid sons of Lanka should carry a few placards and start a demo near Fort Railway Station.


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Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

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