August 11, 2007	Saturday	Rajab 26, 1428

COLOMBO, Aug 10: Sri Lankan cricket’s governing body on Friday threatened to ban any national player who took part in the breakaway multi-million dollar Indian Cricket League (ICL).

“Sri Lankan players participating in any tournament or league other than the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)-approved events shall not be eligible for selection to represent Sri Lanka,” an SLC statement said.

The SLC Secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan added that players who played in the ICL would also not be associated with any official cricket activity in the island nation.

“They will not be considered for selection to play even domestic cricket, hold any position in the cricket administration or even officiate as umpires or commentators,” Mathivanan asserted.

Current players Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya and the recently retired Russel Arnold have been linked with the ICL.

But Arnold, who has just begun a career as a TV commentator, was the only player to publicly acknowledge his desire to take part.

“So far no current player has approached us with their intention to take part in the ICL,” Mathivanan said, also ruling out anyone wanting to do so after the SLC’s latest decision.

Atapattu, a former captain and veteran of 88 Tests, was released by the SLC from his central contract last week. The move was widely seen as an expression of his intention to play in the ICL.

The Sri Lankan cricket administration in 1982 slapped a 25-year ban on 14 cricketers, led by then Test captain Bandula Warnapura, for playing in South Africa. They defied a government ban against any sporting contact with the then apartheid regime. The ban was lifted in 1990 and some rebel players are currently involved in the game’s administration.

The SLC's latest decision follows a similar move by the Indian cricket board to bar rebel players from official cricket.

The ICL, which is bankrolled by India’s largest listed media house, Zee Telefilms, plans to hold Twenty20 matches among six city teams in October and November. Each squad is supposed to comprise four international players, two Indian stars and eight upcoming cricketers, according to an ICL announcement in May.—AFP