Sri Lankan cricket board refuses player demands

With just 24 hours remaining before an International Cricket Council (ICC) ultimatum, the row over ICC contracts appeared no closer to a solution in Sri Lanka as its cricket board claimed it was unable to meet the demands of its players.

The Board of Control for Sri Lanka (BCCSL) is adamant that demands put forward by the Sri Lanka Cricketers Association (SLCA) on behalf of the national cricketers ahead of next month's ICC Champions Trophy are unrealistic given the current cash flow situation of the board

The SLCA demanded 30 percent of guarantee money paid by the ICC to the BCCSL for hosting the ICC Champions trophy. This was in addition to the monthly payments the contracted players received.

"We are currently not in a position to meet the demands put forward by the Cricketers Association because financially it has not been a good year or us," said a BCCSL spokesman.

"I think it unfair by the cricketers to make such a demand. They are trying to capitalise on a situation. I don't think they are seriously affected by the conditions laid down by the ICC," he said.

The BCCSL recently published their statement of accounts which showed a deficit of Rs. 48 million and sources said that with hardly any international cricket being played in Sri Lanka this year, there was barely any revenue being accrued to meet the demands the players are making.

He said whatever revenue the BCCSL receives from the ICC Champions trophy has to be channelled into the development of the game and basic operational costs.

Sri Lanka hosted only a two-Test and three-match one-day series against lowly rated Bangladesh for the current year.

The present ICC contract prevents players from endorsing products from rival companies of the ICC's sponsors 30 days before or after major ICC events, including next year's World Cup.

So far, the 14 Sri Lanka cricketers picked to play in the Champions trophy tournament have not signed the ICC contracts.

"We don't see any major confrontation with the SLCA over this issue," said the Cricket Board spokesman.

Sri Lanka are due to meet Pakistan in the tournament opener on September 12.

All 10 Test playing nations plus two associate member countries are participating in the 18-day event which is a forerunner to next year's World Cup in South Africa.