Sri Lankan coach claims players cannot resist Indian Premier League
The interim coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team, the former Australian batsman, Stuart Law, thinks that in present day cricket, players from around the world find it impossible to resist the temptation of money in the cash rich Indian
Premier League.
Law, who would be in charge of the team on their tour of England starting next month, stated that players from the Sri Lankan team, as well as most of the cricketing nations around the world, are keen on having their share of the big
bucks that are on offer in the league.
Law added that many players consider the option of pulling out of international cricket, or, limiting their careers at the highest level, so that they could make more money by playing different T20 leagues around the world, especially
the IPL.
Sri Lankan cricket underwent a major controversy at the start of this month when their fast bowler, Lasith Malinga, quit Test cricket to prosper in limited over varieties. The right armer, who is touted as the best fast bowler with
the old ball, due to his searing Yorkers, and subtle change of pace, decided that his body could not sustain the pounding that it goes through in the longest format.
He cited his knee injury, which has bothered him for the last many years, as the reason behind his decisions, Law for one understands his predicament.
"'It's disappointing that he doesn't want to play [the] longer [format cricket] but you can't make [force] a guy who goes through h**l every time he bowls a cricket ball", Law told
The Age. "I can sympathize with him. I would love him to play every game for us but that's impossible, no one does that these days”.
He added, that while Malinga had a genuine reason to quit Test cricket, many other players might take a similar route, as the money in IPL was too tempting to ignore, as the millions players make every season give them financial security
early on in life.
''It's a tough one for the players because we're not talking about $10,000 here and there. We're talking about a million dollars and Malinga, when he bowls, he puts his body through h**l, so… two more years of IPL cricket and he can
put his feet up and not go through that pain again".
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Cricket has reached a compromise with players such as captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan, former captains, Mahela Jayawardene, and, Kumar Sangakkara, who are playing for their franchise in the tournament. The players
have been asked to return in time to prepare for the tour of England where the Lankans play three Tests and five ODIs.
On the other hand, Law added that other cricket nations are very much under http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s patronage and have to now accept that India is the big brother. He stated that other Boards need to keep them happy as they were providing other Boards
and players the opportunity of making big money.
He added that in the years ahead IPL would lure more and more players hence it was important that the International Cricket Council work with the member Boards closely and work out a strategy that can benefit both players and the administrators
of the game.
Law also expressed hope that the leading Sri Lankan players keep themselves motivated for the tour of England after the toils of the World Cup and the IPL.
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