Xtra Time Web Desk: Sri Lankan team were dealt a huge blow as experienced all rounder Angelo Mathews has decided to pull himself out of the upcoming white ball series against India. The Sri Lankan cricketer is also considering retirement from international cricket after he was not offered national contracts by Sri Lanka Cricket Board on Wednesday.
The development comes ahead of the limited-overs home series against India beginning on July 13. An unhappy Mathews has reportedly written to the SLC board officials stating that he is considering retirement. He is expected to make a formal announcement of his intentions in a few days.
Meanwhile as per the media release sent by Sri Lanka Cricket, all the players who had previously refused to sign contracts did sign them on Wednesday after they were given a July 8 deadline.
Under the SLC’s performance-based pay plan, 24 of the leading players had been offered contracts under four categories. In the categories released, only six players were in category A and their annual pay ranged between USD 70,000 to 100,000. Players felt the plan lacked transparency and the proposed pay would be much lower than the approved pay scales of the Federation of International Cricket Association (FICA).
It is also learnt two other senior cricketers Dinesh Chandimal and Suranga Lakmal are also considering retirement from International Cricket.