Fearing an exodus from the traditional format of the game to the money spinning white-ball version, Sri Lanka Cricket has dramatically increased the payments of Test players just three weeks away from the T20 World Cup.
The rise in pay packets coincided with the launch of a new shirt or jersey on Friday night that will be worn by the Sri Lankan team at the World Cup that starts on June 1 in the West Indies and the United States of America.
Sri Lanka women’s cricketers Chamari Atapattu, Harshitha Samarawickrema, Vishmi Gunaratne and Shashini Gimhani at the launch of the new men’s World Cup shirt (Pix: Wimal Karunatilleke)
Controversial T20 captain Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva was the first to see the rainbow as he sported the new jersey on the catwalk at the premises of Moose Clothing which has bought the rights to dress the Sri Lankan players while a female presenter on stage carried herself into the clouds nudging the team at every twist and turn to “bring back the World Cup”.
Under the new scheme Test players can pocket Rs. 2 million for a single five-day match, in addition to their annual contract fees, as their pay master made a 100 percent increase with as many as 41 players in all earmarked to benefit that includes ODI and T20 exponents who will be entitled to a 25 percent increase.
In a further earning boost Test players will also be able to benefit in what SLC calls “a different payment structure” for matches won, drawn or lost while rankings made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) will provide another financial opportunity.
Over the past two years Sri Lanka Cricket showcased its money-earning might by donating Rs.500 million to the Cancer hospital, Rs.50 million to the netball team that won the Asia Cup, Rs.30 million to 100 metres sprinting champion Yupun Abeykoon and last week another Rs.30 million to the rugby team that won a four-nation event against India, Oatar and Kazakhstan, all for reasons best known to them.
Friday night’s launch of the new Sri Lanka shirt for the men’s T20 World Cup was graced by the women’s team that qualified for their World Cup in October. They arrived five minutes ahead of schedule while the pampered and petted men’s players walked in an hour late.
Sri Lanka squad for the T20 World Cup:
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (captain), Charith Asaalanka (vice captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka
