 Solution sought on Lankan players' IPL participation
7th Sep 2008 14:40 IST
Agencies
Former captain Duleep Mendis has been asked to explore a solution on the vexed issue of Sri Lanka national cricketers committing to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite the cash-awash Twenty20 tournament clashing dates with the Lankan team's England tour next year.
"I have been asked to see how the matter could be sorted out. I will be having a chat with the players," Mendis said on Saturday.
Asked if a middle path could be explored to deal with the issue, Mendis said, "One of the options is whether the Lankan players could in between the IPL tournament join the national team for the England tour and then return back to the Indian tournament."
Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer, refused to elaborate on the possible outcome of his meeting with the players and merely said he was hopeful of an amicable solution.
SLC Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has asked the players to be available for national duty during the England tour though the IPL-bound players reportedly expressed their reservations.
Ranatunga said SLC stance could be altered only by the Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge's intervention, who last evening appointed Mendis to resolve the crisis between the Interim Committee and the players who have signed contracts with IPL franchises.
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