https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SbTRxhG6R3xet1yq/?mibextid=xfxF2i
“Sri Lanka’s cricket has, regrettably, been taken over by players who are more concerned with flexing their newfound wealth than playing the game.
Back in the day, first class cricketers like Arjuna, Aravinda, Mahanama, Gurusinghe, Kaluwitharana, Hashan, Muttiah, Sanath, Vaas, Marvan, Mahela,Sangakkara, Rangana and Dilshan exemplified grace and dedication. Raised with strong values and a sense of humility, they focused solely on excelling in cricket.
Today, however, many players are suffering from inferiority complexes. Having seen the luxuries from afar, they are easily swayed by the allure of money and social media fame.
Take the Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu, for example: This guy abandoned Test cricket before turning 28, opting for the more lucrative T20 matches.
This behaviour contrasts sharply with what we see in Australia and England, where cricketers like Smith, Root, and Starc remain committed to the sport despite its challenges. For them, the true rewards of cricket go beyond gold necklaces, branded clothes, and luxury cars. Their focus remains steadfast, especially with the World Cup at stake.
Unfortunately, like the proverbial 'Banda who went to Colombo', our players have lost their way, prioritising wealth over the game's integrity.”
This excerpt is from an opinion shared on Facebook in Sinhala. However, I share the same ill feeling about Sri Lanka's most cherished pastime and have done my best to translate it accurately.
- Lahiru Doloswala
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