The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has instructed domestic players to get NOC’s to play in ongoing UK leagues from their respective clubs, Cricket Age reliably learns. The reason was given that the board wants all such cricketers to prioritize country’s domestic cricket season, instead of playing in overseas!
The UK league is currently underway and, according to sources, dozens of Sri Lanka domestic players are desperately looking for NOC’s to fly there.
“The UK embassy has put at least dozen of players Visas on hold, due to not providing NOC’s” a domestic player, who wishes to play In UK, told Cricket Age.
However, SLC categorically denied any involvement in this saga, citing that it’s sole focus on strengthening the domestic cricket!
“We have increased match fees for the domestic tournaments and there are 26 teams to play for. To strengthen domestic cricket structure, participation of all the players on merit is a must. If domestic cricketers plays entire season, they will eligible for Lanka Premier League (LPL) and National Super League (NSL) also. So, no NOC’s from the board for UK leagues. However, if players still wants it, they can get it from their respective clubs” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
According to sources, few seasons ago SLC’s employee Chinthaka Jaynath was found guilty of issuing forged letters to domestic cricketers. Thereafter, SLC decided to refrain from issuing NOC’s!
Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket season starts from May 22nd with T20s and runs untill October.
