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Sri Lanka Cricket has resolute to allow its cricketers to play in the IPL till May 18, after a conference with sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The boards have earlier asked the players to come back on May 5 in order to prepare for the tour of England, which begin with a practice match against Middlesex on May 14. However, they have now issued a release saying the players have only to get there in time for the second warm-up game, next to England Lions, starting May 19. The first Test is on May 26.
"We are favorably look at giving players more time to play the IPL before joining the team for the England tour," Aluthgamage told AFP. "We have outstanding relations with the government of India and the Indian cricket board. We don't want to trouble, or embarrass India."
He, however, denied that Sri Lanka was succumbing to force from the BCCI.He said the initial decision to call the players back near the beginning was taken by the new collection panel headed by Duleep Mendis in order to give the player’s time to get ready for the series, and it was not planned to spark any argument. "The selectors felt the boys were playing too many one-dayers and Twenty20s for the past two months. They required the players to come early and adjust to English circumstances and new changes in team organization. There is no sinister move."
As seven of the 16 players selected for the Test tour are concerned in the IPL, SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga stated that the selectors would pick an extra three to four players to make up the XI for the tour opener against Middlesex.
SLC had originally given the Sri Lanka players till May 20 to play in the IPL, and next their change in the date, the BCCI had contacted Sri Lanka's board asking them to reconsider. The choice had spark mixed reaction among the Sri Lanka players, with Muttiah Muralitharan criticizing it, while new captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said he did not mind it since playing for the country came before playing the IPL.
Sri Lanka's players will now overlook only the last week of the IPL. Lasith Malinga has not been selected for the Tests, since he had tell the board he was upset, but he has been asked to return to Sri Lanka to experience a treatment programme.
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