Sri Lankan cricketers form players’ association, name ODI captain as president

Sri Lankan cricketers have formed a players’ association, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis named its inaugural president.

The creation of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers’ Association comes as Sri Lanka Cricket undergoes a reform process led by a government-appointed committee.

The move has been backed by the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), which described it as a landmark development for the professionalism and growth of the game in the country.

“A strong game and strong player representation go hand in hand,” WCA Chief Executive Tom Moffat said in a statement on Monday.

“Cricket thrives when players have a genuine voice in its future, and by coming together with a unified voice, the Sri Lankan players have demonstrated a deep commitment to the long-term health, integrity and professional progression of the game,” the statement added.

Women’s team captain Chamari Athapaththu has also backed the association, which is expected to give players a stronger voice, particularly in negotiations with the cricket board over permission to participate in franchise cricket.

Players from 17 of the top 19 cricket-playing countries are now affiliated with the WCA, with India and Pakistan the exceptions.