LPL rocked by withdrawal of stars Gayle, Malinga

• Even sans the stars the show must go on, says Tournament Director 

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Chris Gayle

Lasith Malinga

LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne

The My11Circle Lankan Premier League (LPL) has received some negative publicity even before it has got off the ground by way of several key players and coaches making themselves unavailable for the event which is due to commence on 26 November at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa.

Two of the biggest draw cards for any T20 tournament West Indian Chris Gayle and Sri Lanka’s T20 captain fast bowler Lasith Malinga’s absence is certain to dent the tournament to a certain extent. Gayle, universally known as ‘Universe Boss,’ was to turn up for Kandy Tuskers, but having appeared for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL is said to be nursing an injury, while Malinga has cited ‘inadequate preparation’ time for the tournament.

Malinga was to lead Galle Gladiators but the 37-year-old warhorse has not played a competitive match since March and said the lack of cricket and training this year had compelled him to withdraw. Malinga did not take part in the recently-concluded IPL for Mumbai Indians citing ‘personal reasons’. He is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL.

“If a player says he is unable to take part due to personal reasons or whatever we must respect his decision,” said LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne.

“Chris Gayle is nursing an injury. He is playing worldwide and he doesn’t want to risk his career by coming here with an injury. Gayle with one million dollars in his coffers after playing in the IPL and here it is 65,000-75,000 will he take that risk? You cannot compare any tournament with the IPL,” he said.

“They are big players, yes of course. But no one is indispensable; we have to go ahead with the tournament. That is how I look at the whole thing,” Wickramaratne said.

Several other overseas players who were picked at the auction have also pulled out citing different reasons including two coaches of teams – Dav Whatmore of Colombo Kings and John Lewis of Dambulla Lions.

“Whatmore is not coming for personal reasons and John Lewis, what happened there was that the franchise owners changed. The new owner didn’t want Lewis to handle the team so he nominated Owais Shah (the former England cricketer). Sri Lanka Cricket has no say in this because the franchise is the ones who are pumping the money to the team,” said Wickramaratne.

“We have to understand this is a beginning and everyone must support this tournament. The first year of any tournament there will be plusses and minuses. It is a real challenge. Believe me no one will handle this sort of pressure. I am handling it because it is a challenge. I basically like challenges. When the first ball is bowled in the tournament on 26 November, my challenge ends. Despite all those challenges (like players and coaches being unavailable) we are going ahead as scheduled,” he said.

Wickramaratne said the last batch of overseas players was to arrive from the Pakistan bubble yesterday, other than Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, who are due to arrive on 21 November.

“We will be coming out with all the teams and franchises next Tuesday,” he said.