Picture Credit: Twitter/@OfficialSLC
In a recent development, it has now been confirmed that Sri Lanka cricketers who are set to play India in a limited-overs series from July 13 have signed new performance-related contracts after being handed a deadline of Wednesday. However, it is being reported that Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne and former skipper Angelo Mathews have been left out.
Notably, the Sri Lankan national team, which has been in poor run of form recently, has been in a tussle with Cricket Board over the new contracts since May. Moreover, both Karunaratne as well as Mathews have been left out of the team that will participate in an ODI series followed by the T20Is against a visiting Indian unit led by Shikhar Dhawan.
Dispute is now over
"Players were told in no uncertain terms that they should accept the new terms or leave the team hotel by Wednesday morning," a board source told news agency AFP.
"They have signed the contracts and the pay dispute is now over," the source added.
Mathews, Karunaratne stunned by snub
It is being learned that the board has cut fees for the 24 national players by up to 40 per cent in the new contract which was being resisted. There were several rounds of talks and negotiations between the board and the players until an ultimatum was handed to the players.
Meanwhile, the senior cricketers Mathews and Karunaratne were stunned after they were left out. While Karunaratne was offered $70,000, a drop of $30,000 under the new deal, Mathews fees was reduced from $130,000 a year to $80,000.