We have a very clever and committed Exco committee and a very talented coaching staff which paved the way for the success of the Sri Lanka Cricket team at the Asia Cup. As a team, we gave all facilities to the cricketers and especially we have a good fielding coach from overseas and head coach Chris Silverwood and other coaching staff, said the secretary of SLC Mohan de Silva at the press briefing held at the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) headquarters yesterday.
We must thank the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for giving us hosting rights to this Asia Cup which we won after eight years. ACC gave free hand to go forward while UAE cricket Board also gave good support. They had full confidence while we all committed to getting success in the tournament in grand style.
Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva said we got 6.5 million from the Asia Cup while we received 120 million rupees from the ticket sales of the recently concluded Australian and Pakistan series.
Some people are trying to tarnish our image. They knew SLC have good income some times it had more than the income of some countries like New Zealand.
However, we knew our duty is always for cricket and wanted to develop cricket and get benefits for the cricketers. We had a discussion with ICC officials and they are happy with the way we are handling the SLC. I am sure our cricketers are in very good shape for the world T 20 tournament. We will make arrangements to get one week of training at Pallekele and then straight to Australia for the T 20 World Cup. In addition, Mahela Jayawardena our coaching consultant will accompany the T20 World Cup team. Mahela is no stranger as a consultant and he did silent work for Sri Lanka Cricket especially closely working with junior cricket, domestic cricket selections, and the strategy and his service is very important, said Shammi Actually Lasith Malinga had agreed to give his service as a coach for the Pallekele training period but he is not available due to his personal commitments, said Shammi Silva.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka said don’t blame the cricket team and the cricketers when we lose one or two games some people criticize us. It’s very unfair, we are very confident to take on our future series. Especially our team have good commitment.
Dasun Shanaka also pointed out Sri Lanka media are doing a fine job to promote cricket. I never forget when I was scoring 16 fours for SSC media highlighted me and people recognized me very well. However, as a cricketer and Captain, my duty is to give support to my team to get honour for the country said Dasun Shanaka.
SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said the Sri Lanka T 20 World Cup squad already has been forwarded for Sports Ministry approval.
