Sri Lanka's cricketers may have to choose between Test tour and IPL?

Question

The ECB have announced that Sri Lanka are to replace Zimbabwe touring England in April and May 2009.

However, the dates of the tour clash with the IPL. If Sri Lanka's players come to England, they will only be able to play the first 10 days of the IPL.

As 13 of Sri Lanka's top players are signed up for the lucrative Indian tournament, the Sri Lankan board could face a huge problem if the players insist they wish to stay for the full tournament, rather than go to England.

The ECB are currently in discussions about how to resolve the issue.

So my question has two parts:

Should players choose the IPL over playing for their country?, and;

Why didn't the ECB think of this before inviting Sri Lanka?

Answer 1

No, players shouldn't have to choose between francise and country, the decision should be made by the board (i.e. if the Sri Lankan board select you, then you should turn up in England on the 21st April). However the likely outcome will be a 'New Zealand style' compromise where Sanga, Murali et al will fly in a week later for the final warm-up match before the Tests.

The ECB clearly knew about the IPL but having tied into a seven-Test deal with Sky what can they do? They have to play a two-Test series against somebody and with the World Twenty20 in June there's little room to manoeuvre.

Answer 2

They should definatly play for their own country..

I suppose the ECB did'nt think of the IPL...

Answer 3

i think country should come first. though if there is a chance england should try to shift dates of the series

Answer 4

money matters, they will come to IPL, the problem is that they seek support from our nation for their survival in cricket and keep spewing venom against us here on answers, they forgot those days, when Australia bullied them in Australia when Murali balls were called by Hair and Muri was called a chuck by prime minister, finally they will come to us when they will again get a beating from them!

they have just been on cloud 9 after winning a match due to a surprise package and its pathetic to see their ranting here on answers, we kicked their @ss outta CB series and they were pushed outta australia on a pre scheduled flight home, but we never ranted and raved here against them, we just think that they are little cats of the same family as us big heart tigers !

anyways, long story to answer your Q, IPL is the choice !

Answer 5

It is their own choice for whom they want to play for. I would recommend them to play for IPL as the SL cricket board dosen't give them a lot of money.

Answer 6

Oracle, you are the only "sane" person (non- Indian) around here . Thank you for it.

So, am sorry for being sarcastic here about the Q.

ECB is concerned only about themselves as they are not a part of IPL. But Sri Lakans badly need the money.

IPL will go on without them. They may be released of their contracts too if they want; looks like, that is what their fans want.  

The amount of  venom and "Rant" I found in these pages diminished all interest in seeing them (SL) in India side by side with Indians, anyway.  

Edit: I think the first commitment should be honored, only if ECB honors it.

One side has to win and the other lose. But I have ever witnessed this sort of behavior before.

Answer 7

I SAY THAT THE ECB SHOULD CANCEL THE TOUR AND ASK FOR 10% OF THE IPL EARNINGS BECAUSE THEY MADE ENGLISH AND LANKAN PLAYERS FREE FOR IPL....

SOMEHOW I DONT THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN

Answer 8

Players I believe should go on the English tour and we want 5 test matches.In 99 ECB were so arrogant they only gave us 1 off test thinking we were not good enough,the outcome was a 16 wicket haul by Murally and our first win in England.

A bit of arrogance by the ECB to not think about the clash with IPL.They need to get down with the times.

Isn't England in the IPL,KP had 4 mil deal or something,at least there was rumor about it.