SLC’s new fitness-test rule, ill-timed: Malinga

Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision to introduce a fitness test to qualify for the playing XI is ill-timed, former Captain Lasith Malinga has said.

The new rule requires players to complete a 2 kilometre run in 8 minutes and 35 seconds, which several key players have been unable to meet prior to recent matches. 

The new regulation was introduced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) prior to the Sri Lanka vs. West Indies series in February.

Four out of 32 players who were requested to take initial fitness test failed. Current players were also required to take the test before the tour of Bangladesh last month.  Dhanushka Gunatilake and Dhanajaya Silva who played against the recently concluded series in Bangladesh, have reportedly failed the new selection requirement to qualify for the upcoming tour of England. The duo have been requested to retake the test today. 

Former Captain Malinga however believes that the physical fitness regulation allowed players no time to prepare, especially as it was introduced during a pandemic. Malinga made these comments via a video published on his YouTube channel on Thursday (03), stating that players should be allowed time for preparation and also be informed in due time.  

“All physical training activities were stopped with the Covid-19 pandemic. Players did have a certain opportunity to train at their homes at least to a certain extent. At a certain point, without any warning, players were asked to take this fitness test of a 2 kilometre run. It was also used a benchmark for selection,” Malinga said.

“There is nothing wrong with this. But, I feel players and coaches should be informed before they are required to take a test like this. It is more appropriate if they were educated on it before the rule was introduced,” the former cricketer said.