SLC expects franchises for SLPL teams

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Upali Dharmadasa said that they are hoping to include seven franchised teams and SLC has huge expectations on companies that would sponsor the teams at the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League. Dharmadasa said so at the official press conference of the Sri Lanka Premier League held at SLC yesterday.

“If we have seven sponsors and somehow sell these seven teams, we can have a very successful SLPL 2012”, added the SLC chairman.

He also expressed the view that eight cricketing nations have already confirmed to release their players to play in the SLPL. “But since Australia play against Pakistan, during the same time frame as the SLPL, we might get less players from those two countries”.

“Somerset, whom the SLC has a long term contract with, will hold broadcasting rights of the whole tournament and they will be sponsoring this till 2018. Somerset will also handle the foreign player involvements and the entire marketing campaign of SLPL including selling the teams”.

SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranathunga said that they will release the franchise names, the number of teams and the foreign players they hope to get and the captains in the next few weeks. “The winning team will also get the opportunity to play in the Champions League T 20 this year”.

Dharmadasa also mentioned that this would be a wonderful opportunity for the emerging Sri Lankan players and the players who are on the verge of getting in to the national team to showcase their talent to the world and blend with the international stars to get the much needed exposure.

“We will stage this tournament in August since there isn’t much cricket played in most parts of the world during this period. England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and India would not play much cricket and its too hot to play cricket in the middle east in August. This will be the perfect opportunity to get the maximum number of players due to less international commitment”, added Dharmadasa.

Nishantha Ranathunga also said that in the playing 11, seven Sri Lankan players will play along with one under 21 player and approximately 49 local players will play in the seven teams. It would be the best opportunity for the selection committee to select the best 15 for the T20 World Cup which is to be held almost immediately after the SLPL.