At the end of the year it does not become mandatory for SLC to issue further NOCs – neither can the players demand it. Surely, it is for the players to decide if they wish to play for SLC or IPL.

If I was Ranatunga, I would be really miffed with my players for not backing me with what I believe is the right way forwards. If I remember correcly, he had given full support to Murali with the chucking issue.

It really is a shame that he had to give up on the English tour.
That I see as a victory of BCCI/IPL.

Mahela and Sangakkara did a press conference asking the Media to stop attacking them

Check this out

“In another twist to the story Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara were part of a press conference in which the players spoke out in regards to an article published by the local press. Some quarters in the media claimed the players duped the public and the sports minister in claiming the SLC was aware of their 3 year IPL contracts when they agreed to the tour of England. The SLC claiming no knowledge of a 3 year deal subsequently issued a press statement which claimed the players had only received a 1 year no objection certificate to take part in the inaugural season of the IPL.

“Yes, we were auctioned (with IPL) for three years. We were auctioned at a certain price and every single player who played in the IPL signed a three year contract,” said Sangakkara. – PTI

Sangakkara made it clear that the SLC knew of the 3 year contract with the IPL but the players only sought clearance for 2008 as they were only bound by annual contracts with Sri Lanka Cricket.

“The SLC knew that we had signed a three-year contract, but our contract with the SLC are yearly contracts,” Sangakkara said on Thursday.

“I was very perturbed by what went on in these months as a player. You always try as player to stay away from controversy, to do what is right and to play our cricket in peace,” he said.

“But there was an article in a newspaper under the heading ‘did the country’s top cricketers dupe the public and the government’. (The article also published the letter written by Jayawardene and the SLC).”

“There are certain things that we can ignore and take and even though we worry about it basically (we are) not making any comments. But we may be accused of misleading the public and the government of Sri Lanka. I think it is time to clear that,” Sangakkara said. – “

@ Damith,
what do you reckon would happen if all SL players (including those signed up with IPL) stands in solidarity with Ranatunga?

They will be compliant with ICC directive – so BCCI/Modi would not be able to voice criticism. Do the players not think that they should help their board to recover, its the future of SL cricket that they will help save.

BCCI is not the only source for earning vital $$$ for the board – it may be an easy way to boost players’ own wealth.

Arjuna is caught in the middle.
He needs to make money for the SLC.Please the ECB.Please the BCCI and the IPL and his players all at the same time. That will never happen.
A blog by damiths for The “silly points”…