Compromise likely in SLC-player dispute over England tour

By Srian OBEYESEKERE

Hopes of reaching a compromise to the current deadlock between some senior players of the Sri Lanka cricket team and the management - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that would clear the way for both, Sri Lanka's tour of England early next year as well as their participation in the next Indian Premier League tournament, were strong, according to Duleep Mendis, the Chief Executive of SLC who was appointed by the Sports Minister to negotiate a settlement.

Mendis, who said that an immediate settlement was unlikely, was however, confident that talks with the England and County Board (ECB) to advance Sri Lanka's tour or shift their immediate itineraries so as not to clash with the tour or even reducing some matches from the itinerary would bear fruit.

"I think both the England tour and IPL participation of the contracted Sri Lankan players would be possible. We are looking at several possible options that would permit both," Mendis said.

England have a heavy draw on the heels of the Lankan tour with the T-20 extravaganza followed by the ashes series.

The running crisis between the players led by skipper Mahela Jayawardene and SLC strongman Arjuna Ranatunga, who has insisted that the England tour must go ahead at any cost, has threatened to break the backbone of the country's cricket with Jayawardene and nearly a dozen players threatening retirement if they were not allowed to play in the IPL.

The other players are Sangakkara, Jayasuriya, Muralidaran, Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis, Dilshan, Maharoof and some lesser known players including Upul Tharanga.

Sri Lanka is down to play two tests and 3 ODIs in April-May in England as a fill in for Zimbabwe while the IPL is also about the same time. Greame Labrooy, the players representative said that a breakthrough looked imminent after the players rescinded a previous decision and started talking with SLC.

Meanwhile, Trevor Baylis, the Australian hired national coach when contacted by the 'Sunday Observer,' while not being drawn into the controversy, however, made out that his job was to coach, and that he was ready to coach the team bound to England.

"Its (England) tour still a long way off. But whoever is there I will coach," said Baylis.