Sri Lankan cricket's governing body on Friday threatened to ban any national player who took part in the breakaway multi-million dollar Indian Cricket League. Sri Lankan players participating in any "tournament or league other than Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)-approved events shall not be eligible for selection to represent Sri Lanka," an SLC statement said.
SLC secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan added that players who played in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) would also not be associated with any official cricket activity in the island nation. "They will not be considered for selection to play even domestic cricket, hold any position in the cricket administration or even officiate as umpires or commentators," Mathivanan told AFP. Current players Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya and the recently retired Russel Arnold have been linked with the ICL.
But Arnold, who has just begun a career as a television commentator, was the only player to publicly acknowledge his desire to take part. "So far no current player has approached us with their intention to take part in the ICL," Mathivanan said. He also ruled out anyone wanting to do so after the SLC's latest decision.