Sri Lanka hand out contracts to national and emerging team players

In a groundbreaking move, Cricket Sri Lanka, on Sunday (October 27), announced that 35 women will be contracted beginning on October 1, 2019. Of these contracts, 20 have been handed out to players of the national team, while 15 will be reserved for players in the emerging teams. They will last for a time frame of six and three months, respectively.



The 20 national contracts have been divided into four ‘rate’ categories, A, B, C and D. These players will be given a monthly salary, an attendance allowance, plus an additional allowance to purchase supplements. Emerging players, on the other hand, will be offered a fixed monthly rate and attendance allowance.



The national women’s selection panel nominated players for each category based on performance, availability and ‘future requirements’. 



Among the 20 contracted players, there are three in Group A, five in Group B, seven in Group C and five in Group D.



Chamari Atapattu, Shashikala Siriwardene and Inoka Ranaweera have all been offered Group A contracts by SLC. With the T20 World Cup in mind, Nilakshi de Silva, the hard-hitting allrounder, Oshadi Ranasinghe, the off-spinner, and Anushka Sanjeewani, the wicket-keeper, have been included in Group B, while up and coming teenager, Kavisha Dilhari features in Group C.



Emerging team skipper, Harshita Madavi, identified as a ‘future captain’ in the national team setup, has also earned herself a Group C contract. 



Sripali Weerakkody, the veteran medium pacer, is one of the notable absentees in the list. She last played for the country during the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last year.



The following are the contracted players:



Group ‘A’: Chamari Atapattu, Shashikala Siriwardene, Inoka Ranaweera



Group ‘B’: Anushka Sanjeewani, Yasoda Mendis, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Nilakshi De Silva, Sugandika Kumari



Group ‘C’: Udeshika Prabodhani, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Ama Kanchana, Prasadini Weerakkody, Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Madavi



Group ‘D’: Imalka Mendis, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Hansima Karunaratne, Madushika Meththananda



Emerging players: Malsha Shehani, Sathya Sandeepani, Lihini Apsara, Tharika Sewwandi, Umesha Thimashini, Jimanjalee Wijenayake, Harshani Wijeratne, Shashikala Silva, Saduni Nisansala, Eresha Shayamali, Tharuka Shehani, Nilkashana Sandmini, Rose Perera, Shayani Oshadi, Janadi Analee