- Thushara shuns contract?
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashley de Silva says that they would not compromise on physical fitness tests of players under any circumstance, as the former intensifies its crackdown on unfit national players.
He made this remark in response to recent media reports that SLC has decided to expedite its new fitness regimen to bring the national team and its players on par with other top sides in the world game.
Amidst these developments it has also come to light that pacer Nuwan Thushara, who had been declined a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the game’s local governing body for failing his test, had allegedly conveyed to the SLC not to consider him for a fresh contract.
“The annual contracts of national players lapsed on Tuesday (31 March),” de Silva told The Daily Morning Sports.
“So before the new contracts are signed, it is the national selectors who would inform us as to who had passed the physical fitness tests and those who should be considered for new contracts. If the selectors feel that certain players have not got through the test, then they will not be eligible for a new contract.”
The SLC CEO maintained that the players’ reputation or status within the game or the national set up would henceforth be immaterial when it comes to passing the fitness tests.
He added that this new system has also been set in motion with the concurrence of incoming head coach South African Gary Kirsten, and reiterated the stance that no leeway would be granted to any cricketer failing the compulsory fitness test.
“No player is bigger than the game and we intend to implement this new mechanism to the very letter,” de Silva explained.
SLC recently mandated all its contracted players to get through the newly introduced fitness tests ahead of being granted clearance to ply their trade in various global franchise leagues such as the India Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Thushara’s eligibility to represent his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) which was worth INR 1.6 crore (LKR 50 million), was reliant on him passing his fitness test.
But, according to sources the fast bowler who only has featured in white-ball cricket for his country since 2022, had failed his test bringing about his current predicament.
Sri Lanka’s abject showing during last February’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which it co-hosted with India proved to be a particular sticking point, with a few frontline bowlers breaking down compelling the selectors to field a second-string team.
A few other notable players such as Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis have already received their NOCs to compete in the ongoing IPL.
However, spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and left-arm quick Matheesha Pathirana are yet to undergo the stipulated fitness tests, as the duo are still completing their rehabilitation from injuries.
Meanwhile, a startling statistic coming out of the recently conducted tests indicates that out of 46 players put through the tests only 12 had managed to obtain the requisite fitness points, with quick Thushara being the most high-profile casualty of them all.
According to SLC sources its fitness tests include skinfold tests to monitor body fat, a two-kilometre run to assess endurance, a 20-metre sprint, agility drills and a counter-movement jump.