Is Kusal Mendis trying to influence SLC through SSC?

Sri Lanka cricketer Kusal Mendis, currently under a one-year suspension from all forms of international cricket for misconduct, has officially announced his decision to leave Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) and join the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC).

Mendis, who is the current captain of CCC, posted the following message on Facebook yesterday:

“I consider ‘CCC’ as my second home and I am leaving the club full of pleasant memories. I would like to thank everyone at CCC for all the support over the years! ‘CHANGE’ is the word I strongly believe these days and I have no doubt SSC will give me courage to rewrite my dreams.”

Mendis, along with another SSC cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella from NCC, were suspended from all forms of international cricket for one year following the breach of COVID-19 protocol during the Sri Lanka cricket team’s tour of England in July this year.

The trio is said to have appealed against their suspension to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) who has directed them for counselling for three months before taking a decision whether to reduce the suspension.

SLC sources said that depending on the reports they receive, they would review their domestic cricket ban which is for six months. The one-year international ban however would remain along with a further one-year ban from international cricket suspended for a period of two years.

It is reliably learnt that Mendis had wanted CCC to take up his suspension matter with the SLC and have it reduced or lifted, to which the club had refused.

It was more or less the right decision because Shammi Silva, apart from being the President of SLC is also the Chairman of the Gymkhana Club (that encompasses CCC).

Mendis is understood to be joining SSC on his own, but whether he can play for his new club is doubtful because he is currently under suspension.

SSC has a history of at one time writing to SLC and getting a ban imposed on Gunathilaka for misconduct reduced. Whether Mendis is hoping to do the same by joining SSC is left to be seen. - (ST)