The second year of the ICL promises to be even better organised. The wickets are looking better and with multiple venues it is just getting bigger and bigger. Last year, we didn’t have too many high-scoring matches, but this time around we are looking at more and more high-scoring games. Cricket is now moving towards the need of every game being a high-scoring one.
The ICL had shown a lot of promise last year and this year it would be no different. Some of the players have shown great temperament and talent. Given a chance at the international stage, they are no less than any.
In terms of administration, I think having people who have played the game in the past has made a lot of difference. It is always better to have at least three-four members in any cricket administration who have prior experience of playing the game. The job of the administrators is not just to run the game, but also to protect it and the players. This is the reason why there has been rapid development in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). By allowing ICL players to play in domestic games, the board, in spite being a small one, has shown character.
It is a big development… Call it a stepping stone. Allowing players to play in domestic games, commentate for matches are examples of positive event. SLC’s decision is correct. It is the sign of things to come. It is unfair to term us as “illegal” or “rebels”.
ICC’s decision is absolutely silly. We are no different than IPL. On what grounds are they calling us illegal?
The meeting of ICC and ICL members is also a good development. We are concerned with ICC’s stand because a lot of talent is being wasted by barring us to play at various levels. ICC needs to come up with a genuine solution. Their work and ours is similar because both of us want to develop cricket and give fair and square chance to deserving players.
With so many new players joining and a new team from Bangladesh, one should not be surprised if a Sri Lankan team comes up too. There are some players who also want to play for ICL. I would be eagerly waiting for such a development and represent Sri Lanka again. My stint with Delhi Giants has been enjoyable, but the love to play for my own country will always be there.
(Avishka Gunawardene has played 61 ODIs and 6 Tests for Sri Lanka)
As told to Gautam Sheth
