SLC MoU to allow emerging talents to play for Australian clubs

Eight players from Sri Lanka Cricket’s emerging setup will get the opportunity to play club cricket in Australia after SLC announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) in Australia. 

“Under the MoU, DDCA will facilitate SLC to field a select group of Sri Lankan emerging cricketers in Australian cricket clubs during a full cricket season, which spans from October to March every year,” stated a media release explaining the MoU, which comes into effect this year. “DDCA will find clubs for the Lankan players, whilst the host club will provide players with club membership, accommodation, club apparel, transportation to attend training and matches, and also a weekly incidental allowance,” it added. 

The MoU aims to help young players experience other cultures and environments while also encouraging personal development and building of life skills. The move is also expected to foster a long-term relationship between SLC and the DDCA.  The MOU was entered into recently in Australia, with SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva and DDCA President Michael Hawking signing on behalf of their respective entities. 

“This is an excellent opportunity for SLC, as this gives us another platform to provide opportunities for our talented youngsters and build them in different conditions to feed our national setup,” said de Silva.

The MOU, which is effective until 2022, will also see the DDCA bring in an under-19 representative team to Sri Lanka, commencing mid-2021, where SLC will provide first-class grounds, high performance training sessions, and specialist coaches to the visiting team.