The National selectors and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities expect stiff competition among players for a place in the National team with the introduction of the Dialog-Invitational T20 League which commenced yesterday, after play was called off due to bad weather conditions on Thursday at the picturesque Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
With the participation of the four teams led by four National players, the selectors and SLC have given an opportunity to all National and top tier players to display their talent in order to pick them for selection for the upcoming series against South Africa, followed by the T20 World Cup to be held in United Arab Emirates and Oman from mid-October this year.
With various allegations levelled at the selectors, especially citing that some of the senior players were sidelined and deprived of an opportunity of gaining a place in the National team, almost all the top-rated players in the fray are granted a final chance to perform well and be eligible to be selected to the National pool of 30 players to be picked later this month.
As per reliable sources, the National coaches have been entrusted with certain guidelines to be followed with regard to player performance, especially in the batting and bowling department. When a batsman is in, he has to make sure how quickly he scores his runs in his batting position and in how many balls, while the bowlers are measured how they bowl in the power play and in the death overs.
Overall, the idea behind hosting this tourney is to grant all players a fair opportunity to perform in their regular position and seek eligibility for selection without grumbling and making baseless allegations. The National Selectors are also fully focusing on picking the best possible pool of players to gear up for the upcoming fixtures.
“We have given a fair chance to all players (National and top tier) to perform. There is no room to complain regarding their selection. Our aim is to pick the best possible squad for the Proteas series here and the World
Cup. We anticipate that all players will make this an ideal opportunity to give of their best to retain a position in the pool,” disclosed a senior SLC official.