Sri Lanka cricket gears for a fresh innings, at last..

A running joke among fans is the rate at which the Sri Lankan team has started losing matches even before the snacks and drinks were consumed

Sri Lanka Cricket Board Chairman Shammi Silva’s resignation came in at a time when the most popular sport in the country is gasping for breath. Cricket, once a much-celebrated sport in every nook and corner of the country,  gradually became unpopular among the masses due to its corrupt nature. With players showcasing poor performances and sometimes losing matches at a rate, much to the dismay of fans who were ready to support the team despite these shortcomings.

Silva first assumed the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in February 2019, succeeding Thilanga Sumathipala. During his initial 2019/2021 tenure, he was elected to lead the board, later consolidating his position to serve multiple consecutive terms. Despite criticism, Silva held on to his seat which is known to be a powerful seat, second only to that of the Head of State. 

Various sports ministers including former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe attempted to sack him following the 2023 World Cup campaign. Even though the Parliament backed the Minister’s move, Silva bounced back with the support of his allies. He bounced back with such force that they even attempted to convince the then President to get rid of the Minister instead of corrupt officials at SLC. 

In 1996 when Sri Lanka won the World Cup, almost every Sri Lankan may have had high hopes for the team and the sport. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board was initially known as the Board of Control for Cricket headed by some notable figures such as Robert Senanayake (1956-1972), Gamini Dissanayake (1981-1989) and Ana Punchihewa (1995-1996) among others. In 2003, the Board of Control for Cricket was rebranded as the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. 

Over the years, the sport was affected due to corruption, money, fame and underhand deals. Silva was even blamed for removing a player from the captaincy on the eve of a World Cup! Cricket lovers blamed selectors for throwing out talented players and allowing amateurs to face tough teams and lose matches in a matter of overs. 

According to records, no national team from Sri Lanka has made it to a final at a global tournament over the past 12 years. Notwithstanding their addiction and devotion to the sport, Sri Lankans are now compelled to completely switch off cricket due to frustration. A running joke among fans is the rate at which the Sri Lankan team has started losing matches even before the snacks and drinks were consumed! At one point,  organisers had to invite people to come and watch matches and tickets were distributed at discounted rates to fill the Keththarama stadium. A softball cricket player even commented saying that there are more crowds who are now watching softball matches instead of matches played by the national cricket team. 

Such is the plight of a sport that was once embraced by many Sri Lankans. Staying true to his promise of cleaning up public institutions, President Dissanayake initiated the removal of Silva and SLC’s Executive Committee. A task that his predecessors couldn’t do. Hence this is an opportune moment to not only usher in a fresh set of non-corrupt officials to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board but also ensure that the sport is brought back to its former glory. 

Sri Lankans anticipate a day when they could once again cheer for a talented team that could clinch another World Cup; a day when the national team will have dedicated players who are interested in the sport than money; a day when there’s discipline and passion for the sport showcased among all players in the team,  and a day when more homegrown talent is being appreciated and acknowledged at the national level. May this be the start of a fresh innings in the history of Sri Lanka cricket!

‘Your Thought’ is a space, a right of the readers to support or contradict and discuss the issues highlighted in the editorial and other articles in the editorial and op-ed pages. Designed as the reader’s editorial; our readers can send in their writings, with a word count not exceeding 200, to ‘Your Thought’, Daily Mirror Political Features Desk, No 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2 or email to [email protected]