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The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is proactively enhancing the nation’s cricketing stature in anticipation of the highly awaited T20 World Cup 2024, demonstrating a significant commitment through a substantial increase in salaries for Sri Lankan players. In a decisive move, the Board announced a comprehensive raise in fees across all player categories, effective immediately.
Empowering players: A tiered contract system
Under the revamped contractual framework introduced by the Board, 41 players are poised to receive fresh contract offers distributed among six distinct tiers: A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and the esteemed ‘A’ Team. This tiered approach aims to provide players with varying levels of support and recognition, reflecting their skills, experience, and contributions to the team.
Rewarding excellence: A focus on test cricket
Notably, the most substantial salary bump is earmarked for Test cricket, reflecting the Board’s commitment to upholding the prestige of the longest format of the game. Players stand to gain an impressive 100% raise based on performance metrics, emphasizing the importance placed on success in Test matches. In the meantime, match fees for both ODI and T20I have been raised by 25 percent.
Also READ: Sri Lanka announces squad for the T20 World Cup 2024; Wanindu Hasaranga to lead
Transparency in compensation: Precise payout structures
Despite the timing of this announcement preceding the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), the Board has demonstrated transparency by outlining precise payout structures for Test matches contingent on outcomes—be it victory, draw, or loss. This ensures that players are aware of the financial rewards associated with their performance on the field, fostering accountability and motivation within the team.
“There will be different payment structures for a Test match ‘won’, ‘drawn’ or ‘lost’,” the SLC board was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Incentivizing excellence: Recognizing ICC rankings achievements
The official statement accentuates additional incentives for players excelling in international rankings. Players ranked as the ‘Best Batsman, Best Bowler, or Best All-Rounder’ by the ICC across all formats will receive one-time compensation payments. Additionally, players ranking between 10th and 2nd place in these categories will also be duly recognized with one-time payments.
“Accordingly, a player will be financially rewarded with a one-time payment if they become the ‘Best Batsman, Best Bowler, or Best All-Rounder based on ICC rankings, covering all formats, In the meantime, if a player attains a ranking between 10th and 2nd place in the ICC rankings in the aforesaid categories, such players will also be recognized with a one-time payment,” the SLC board declared.
An elite roster: Celebrating cricketing talent
The roster of 41 contracted players boasts illustrious names such as Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Wanindu Hasaranga, among others. These players represent the pinnacle of Sri Lankan cricketing talent, bringing a wealth of skill and experience to the team. However, it is noteworthy that certain players, including Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, have been omitted from the latest contract discussions. Despite their roles as traveling reserves for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, these players have not been included in the current contract negotiations.
Accordingly, 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, namely, A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ‘A’ Team. https://t.co/wywNRh1Vpi
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) May 10, 2024
