1 week ago
Sri Lanka Cricket Seeks More Tests Against Top Nations
Sri Lanka wants to play more Test cricket against strong teams.
Its cricket chairman asked for changes to the schedule used to organize international tours.
He especially wants more matches against India, England and Australia.
Sri Lanka is currently playing India in a two-match Test series.
It also has six more Tests planned this year against Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Wickramaratne said T20 and one-day cricket have made the international calendar crowded.
He said India’s busy schedule makes it difficult for India to tour Sri Lanka.
Another administrator said Sri Lanka Cricket is changing its rules to make the organization more open and accountable.
Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Eran Wickramaratne urged a revision of the ICC Future Tours Programme to create more Test opportunities.
Sri Lanka wants additional Test tours against India, England and Australia, especially during the next World Test Championship cycle.
Sri Lanka played two Tests against the West Indies and is currently playing a two-match series against India after a year-long Test gap.
Six more Tests are scheduled this year: two away against Pakistan, two away against New Zealand and two at home against South Africa.
Sidath Wettimuny said proposed independent directors would support greater accountability, transparency and visibility within Sri Lanka Cricket.
- Who
- Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman Eran Wickramaratne and committee member Sidath Wettimuny.
- What
- Sri Lanka Cricket is seeking changes to the ICC Future Tours Programme to secure more Test matches against major cricket nations.
- Where
- Wickramaratne spoke to media in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- The comments were reported on August 23; Sri Lanka has six more Tests scheduled this year.
- Why
- Sri Lanka Cricket says the current calendar, crowded by T20 and 50-over cricket, limits Test opportunities and that the country wants to develop in the format.
Sri Lanka’s Test ambitions
International scheduling constraints
Reworking the tours programme
Sri Lanka’s Test ambitions
Sri Lanka Cricket wants the ICC Future Tours Programme reworked so it can play more Tests against India, England and Australia, particularly in the next World Test Championship cycle.
International scheduling constraints
Tours depend on the international calendar, and Wickramaratne acknowledged that India’s tight schedule makes it difficult for the team to visit Sri Lanka.
Balancing cricket formats
Sri Lanka’s Test ambitions
Sri Lanka wants a better balance in the schedule because Test cricket is the format it wants to develop and perform well in.
International scheduling constraints
Wickramaratne said T20 and 50-over cricket have congested the calendar, reducing room for Test matches.
Governance changes
Sri Lanka’s Test ambitions
Wettimuny said independent directors and broader administrative changes could improve accountability, transparency and visibility within Sri Lanka Cricket.
International scheduling constraints
The older system relied on elected directors, which the proposed constitution would change; the articles do not provide a separate defense of retaining that system.
Key facts
- Requested opponents
- India, England and Australia
- Current series
- Sri Lanka is playing a two-match Test series against India.
- Recent Tests
- Sri Lanka played two Tests against the West Indies in June-July after a year-long hiatus.
- Upcoming Tests
- Six are scheduled: two away against Pakistan, two away against New Zealand and two at home against South Africa.
- Scheduling framework
- The ICC Future Tours Programme determines international tours.
- Calendar concern
- Wickramaratne said T20 and 50-over cricket have congested the international calendar.
- Governance proposal
- Sri Lanka Cricket’s proposed constitution includes independent directors alongside elected directors.
Quotes
Eran Wickramaratne
Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim committee
“So that will be a very significant change from the old system to the new system because we feel we need more accountability, transparency and visibility about everything that’s happening.”
theprint.in
rediff.com
“I had a conversation with Jay Shah, and recently we had a visit from BCCI's Devajit Saikia. We want to make sure that we work together in building cricket here and across the world.”
rediff.com
Sources
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