Sri Lanka top order batsman Kusal Mendis, who is currently facing one year suspension form International Cricket over misconduct, today officially announced about his decision of leaving Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) and joining the circus of Sinhlease Sports Club (SSC).
Mendis, along with Danushka Gunathilika and Niroshan Dickwela, was suspended from international cricket for one year, following the breach of Covid protocol during UK tour earlier this year.
“I consider ‘CCC’ as my Second Home and leaving the club with 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 posted on social media on Tuesday (September 22).
Cricket Age had published on September 13 itself that after receiving cold response on his ban reduction plea, Mendis decided to join SSC.
According to sources, a desperate Mendis wanted to somehow revoke the domestic ban and even tried to pressurize CCC top brass. He even made an official request to SLC to reduce the ban. However, board president Shammi Silva, even after being CCC president also, rejected Mendis appeal.
“After his appeal was rejected, he decided to part ways with club. He has officially informed us and we are also fine with his decision. Its his choice, wherever he wants to play” a top CCC official had earlier told Cricket Age.
It has learnt that few top decision makers at SSC have promised Mendis to reduce his domestic ban and confirm his international cricket return at soonest. Gunathilika, who also plays for SSC, is also likely to be getting same sort of backing, even after being a proven offender!
“SSC notorious coach Thilina Kandamby, who has poached almost dozen top domestic cricket performers in last one year, lured Mendis through his manager Asanka” a cricket expert told Cricket Age.
It has also learnt that a former Sri Lanka player from SSC, who is not only flying high on political backing but also taking revenge from his cricket enemies in the Island, has chalked out a plan of making a super squad in order to bring back club’s lost glory.
“The way Kandamby and his gang is poaching players, It seems that SSC is going to field two teams in the upcoming domestic tournaments. Its obvious, that they don’t want to nurture talents, instead just wants to poach proven performers from the other clubs” cricket expert added.
