Malinga’s IPL season in SLC hands?

By Madushka Balasuriya

The Mumbai Indians will be sweating on the availability of Lasith Malinga for their IPL campaign after Sri Lanka Cricket said that his participation in the Indian T20 tournament will be subject to an evaluation by SLC’s medical committee.

“We have asked him in writing to inform us of when he is fit but he still has not done so. Once he does this, we will put him onto our medical committee. The IPL is not relevant to us. Until we clear him, he won’t be able to play for any PL, let alone the IPL,” stated SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala at a press conference yesterday.

Asked on whether Malinga could go for the IPL without informing the board, Sumathipala quipped: “Then he can go, watch the match and come back.”

Speaking further on Malinga’s fitness issues, Sumathipala pointed out that players like Angelo Mathews and West Indies’ Chris Gayle had played with injuries during the World T20 tournament. “When you’re playing for your country, that’s the way you play. We expect everyone who plays for their nation to give 100% in that manner.”

However, when asked to clarify whether he was suggesting that Malinga does not give 100% for his country, Sumathipala was noncommittal: “I don’t know. You have to ask Lasith that. I only pointed out Mathews’ dedication. I was praising Angelo not criticising Malinga.”

Since Sumathipala’s election, officials at Sri Lanka Cricket have been tight-lipped on various team related matters with Lasith Malinga being a vocal outlier. Responding to questions on whether any disciplinary action will be taken against Malinga in view of his recent comments to the media, Sumathipala said: “Internally, we have been monitoring his outbursts in the media and have been taking note of it. We will deal with it. He has a reputation of not being able to hit the brakes when it comes to talking to the media. I can remember he even had a run in with some of our media friends in the past. He is a senior player. I think he will soon realise he’s working with a new board. We have to manage him.”

Under 19 Provincial Tournament set for 19 April start

The Super Under 19 Provincial Tournament will begin on 19 April, Sri Lanka Cricket announced yesterday, with the aim of identifying one talented young cricketer to be included in the national squad for Sri Lanka’s tour of England starting next month.

The tournament will also serve as a testing ground for selections for the National Under 19 team, whose first outing will be a tour of England from 17 July to 17 of August 2016, where they will play two four-day games and three youth ODIs.

The tournament will see ten provincial teams, divided into two groups, compete in two-day matches over a period of five weeks, at the end of which a three-day final will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 10, 11 and 12 May.

Explaining the choice to play matches in the two-day format, SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala explained that at the Under 19 level it was extremely important to play longer formats of the game so as to develop technically. In addition, each team will also be appointed a provincial manager and coach, all of whom have been involved at the national level.

It was also announced that standby players will be able to play for other provinces, so as to improve the overall quality of talent on display.

“There are some provinces that have not played enough cricket, and aren’t as developed as some others. So what we have done is allowed some of the weaker provinces to invite and play the standby players from other provinces,” explained Sumathipala.

“We have also told the selectors to pick at least one player from this tournament to join the national team in their tour of England. We intend to keep this practice going up until the end of the tour of South Africa in December.”

The Western Province (North), Western Province (Central), Uva, Northern and North Western Province teams will compete in Group A while the Western Province (South), North Central, Eastern, Central and the Southern Province teams will make up Group B.

Staying on the theme of increased focus on Under 19 cricket, Sumathipala also revealed that as Chair of the Asian Cricket Council, they are looking at making the current bi-annual Under 19 Asia Cup an annual affair with Sri Lanka hosting its first edition this year. (MB)