Big focus on fitness in Central Contracts

by Rex Clementine

There may have been a few not so attractive clauses like the senior players’ payments taken off from the new Central Contracts that the national cricketers are refusing to sign, but overall, there are provisions for players to earn more money if they improve their performance. For example, beating a top ranked team or reaching the semi-finals of an ICC event will enable a player to earn more money rather than pocketing money on his seniority base.

Also heavily in focus in the new contracts is players’ fitness. While a national cricketer is given 50 points for his performance in the previous year, fitness receives 20 points and if a player is not meeting the required standards in skin folds or in the two kilometer run, they are set to miss out a big chunk of money.

The other areas points are awarded on are leadership, professionalism and future potential with every area receiving ten marks each adding up the 100 points. Those that get most points earn top contracts such as Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella, who became the nation’s highest paid cricketers receiving US$ 100,000 each.

A total of 24 players received national contracts that have been separated into 12 categories. During a media briefing yesterday, Director of Cricket Tom Moody and Chairman of Cricket Advisory Committee Aravinda de Silva explained the finer points.

A total of US$ 1.4 million has been allocated by Sri Lanka Cricket for national contracts but the earnings of players will significantly increase if they are able to beat the top ranked teams often. Beating the number one ranked team will earn the players a bonus of US$ 75,000 while beating a team ranked number two will see them earning US$ 65,000 additionally. Payments for Test matches have been increased to USD 7500 from 7000 while payments for ODIs and T-20s will remain UD$ 4000 and US$ 3000 respectively.

Moody explaining the contracts said that they had followed a formula that has been used widely in other countries.

Aravinda de Silva said that the Cricket Advisory Committee has recommended to the Executive Committee to significantly raise payments for domestic cricket.

While a complete shake up of First Class cricket is not expected what will happen for sure is the Provincial Tournament becoming the benchmark for national selections.

The Provincial Tournament has not been continued for various reasons; mainly successive administrations prefer to have the club tournament as the number one format to please their vote base. But the need to give prominence to Provincial Tournament has been identified and it will now take precedence over all else.

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva confirmed that the Asia Cup that was scheduled to take place in June this year in Colombo will be postponed.

Professor Arjuna De Silva, who headed the Management Committee, chaired the meeting. His term ends today with the new Executive Committee expected to be elect today.

Former President Shammi Silva will be elected uncontested as President with his Ex Co filling all the key slots in the administration of the sport.