National cricketers must live by example
As another Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket has taken fresh guard at the wicket for a new innings it appears that winds of change are blowing across the headquarters which are ruffling the feathers of some of its key stakeholders. Reports have already trickled in that the Interim Committee have proposed the reduction of SLC contracted players from about 100 or so to half. They are of the view by opening up contracts for a large number quality has been compromised. It is a known fact that if you reduce the quantity you can and spend more resources on the reduced quantity and thereby the quality is bound to improve. We believe that this is a move in the right direction and the way forward for the future, provided whatever finances that are saved in the reduction of the contracts should be re-invested in the remaining players and the game.
In the same breath the Interim Committee is now contemplating on a Provincial type Tournament on top of the current tournament structure that is in place. This is believed to be stemming out from a presentation made by Mahela Jayawardene.
In this instance the Interim Committee is looking at increasing the quantity of cricket that is being played. Isn’t this in contrary to the earlier principle of reducing quantity to improve quality? SLC officials, Administrators and players are all aware of the quality of cricket that was dished out whenever the Inter Provincial Tournament was staged. Is this the quality that the Interim Committee is trying to bring back today? Shouldn’t it be more prudent for the Interim Committee to upgrade and improve the quality of the already existing Club tournament?
The concept put forward by Mahela Jayawardene may be good, but will it work in Sri Lanka? Clustering Premier Colombo Clubs into different Provinces which are run by a independent set of Administrators from these Clubs and based in the respective Provinces is the backbone to this latest proposal. Looks good on paper, will make a wonderful Presentation, but is it practical? Unlike in Australia where all the States are well developed and can stand alone, Sri Lanka’s Provinces are not so, baring the Western Province. Hence, Administration of such entities in Provinces (Other than the Western) and getting players to remain in these Provinces is only a pipe dream! In fact these are ideal concepts and more like presentations made by some Management Consultants to the Board of Directors of Corporates –highly theoretical, well articulated, excellent, nice to listen…but can it be implemented!
At least it is noteworthy that the Interim Committee has grasped the main issue that the quality needs to be upgraded at the expense of the quantity. Instead of trying to unearth Provincial Tournaments ( that were proven failures) and increase quantity, look into ways and means of improving the existing Inter Club Tournaments. There are several things that could be done to transform the current Inter Club Tournament into a fiercely competitive high quality first class tournament. This is the need of the hour.
It’s a crying shame to note that some of Sri Lanka’s star cricketers like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Matthews ,Lasith Malinga, Tillekeratne Dilshan may not have played five games for their respective clubs in the last five years. They maybe on tour for some part of the year, but whenever they are available, have they represented their clubs? It is no secret that these players are reluctant to play for their clubs after they stamp their places in the National team.
Their priorities become different, they need time for advertisements, endorsements, Social Functions and everything else and there is no time to play in the SLC organized Premier tournaments despite being SLC’s contracted employees. How can we improve the quality of Cricket, if these players are reluctant to play in the Premier tournaments organised by SLC? They are on a Contractual employment with SLC where they are paid lucrative salaries, but surprisingly they are not obliged to play in SLC conducted tournaments.
Hence, the first priority should be to insert a clause in the Cricketers Contracts where players should take part in all SLC conducted tournaments if they are not on National Duty. It’s only if the best players in the country play in these tournaments that the quality of Cricket can be improved.