Top foreign players could opt out of LPL

The Health Ministry’s insistence of a 14-day quarantine period for those participating in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in November could result in several top international players opting out, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Vice-President and LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne revealed yesterday.

SLC had shortlisted 150 foreign players for the tournament with franchises allowed to draft maximum of six players in each franchise.

“With the Indian Premier League (IPL) ending on November 10 and the LPL starting four days later, the 14-day quarantine period would mean that some of those players coming from the IPL would not be available till the latter part of the tournament,” Wickramaratne said which could mean they would opt out.

“We have a list of 59 players who are still interested in participating though, they may not be top tier talent.”

Wickramaratne also said that he expected all the franchises to be sold within this week before the player draft scheduled for October 1.

“There are around 12 interested parties, and around September 26 it should be finalised,” he added. (SMD)