Once a reputed Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) has now poached Sri Lanka’s test specialist Roshen Silva to fulfill one of its messiah’s dream to make a super squad.
Silva, a solid middle order batsman with proper technique, played 12 tests between 2017 to 2019. Later, however, he was surprisingly discarded from the test side, even though maintaining an average of 35. Now, he has joined SSC in order to boost his chances for a test birth, leaving Ragama Cricket Club.
According to sources, it’s another big stride of SSC management in following the blueprint of a former Sri Lanka captain to assemble a super squad, by poaching all promising, young players from other clubs.
“SSC has performed poorly in last few seasons. Head coach Thilina Kandamby has also proved a white elephant. The club wants to revive team’s fortune, as well as justify its decision to persist with Kandamby. That’s why, they are going for the every available player” an expert of Sri Lanka cricket told Cricket Age.
Before Silva, young batting sensations like Ashen Bandara and Avishka Fernando were also poached by the SSC.
“It’s all fixed. These days Pramodaya Wickramasinghe is selecting Sri Lanka squads. If Sports Minister and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announces (officially) new selection committee, it’s certain that another SSC man will be included in the panel. By this manipulation, it’s very easy for them to scare young players and force them to join SSC. If you wants to play for Sri Lanka, you will have to join SSC. It’s an unwritten rule in Sri Lanka cricket now” the cricket expert added.
In last few months, Cricket Age has exposed SSC unethical poaching tactics time and again. In September last year, SSC was accused of poaching rival clubs players by using unethical methods. The sensational allegation were made by Chilaw Marians secretary Godfrey Dabrera, who is also the manager of international venues and stadiums at Sri Lanka Cricket.
“The cricketers were told that they would be considered for the higher level selection, only if they accept the offer. The players, mostly emerging talents, are frightened by these tactics” a top official from Chilaw Marians had told Cricket Age.
It has learned that Kandamby is doing these unethical practices of poaching players, in order to save his job at SSC! A Club with unmatched, incredible domestic record, has completely collapsed under Kandamby watch, with two under performing seasons.
Moreover, Cricket Age understands that SSC management is working on a master plan of making a ‘Super Squad‘.
“It’s the most unfortunate. The SSC has had a rich history of picking players straight from the schools or junior level (like Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Danushka Gunathilike) and nurtured. Eventually, all they became World class players. Sadly, now the club is not believing in scouting new talent and nurturing them. Instead, the management has opted for safe option of poaching top players from other clubs. In this scenario, you don’t need a coach. You just need a good manager. And it seems Kandamby is performing that role with perfection” the cricket expert added further.
