Sri Lankan players agree to sign ICC contract

Sri Lanka will field a full strength side during the ICC Champions Trophy after a last minute deal was struck between the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) and the players, ending a potentially embarrassing dispute for the host nation.

A BCCSL statement, issued from Colombo, said: "Discussions between the BCCSL and the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association (SLCA) regarding the participation of Sri Lankan cricketers in the ICC Champions Trophy 2002 were concluded successfully today."

The players, represented by former Sri Lanka fast bowler Graeme Labrooy on behalf of the SLCA, had demanded 30% of all revenue accrued by the BCCSL during the tournament if they were to sign a controversial ICC contract.

The ICC contract prevents the players from endorsing products that might conflict with official ICC Champions Trophy sponsors for a period spanning nearly three months.

The BCCSL, however, refused the players' demands on Wednesday, claiming that the cricket board was facing a cash shortage in light of there being so few incoming tours to Sri Lanka during the current financial year.

Agreement was reached after the BCCSL promised to pay the players an "undisclosed lump sum" as compensation for the use of their player rights.

Although the players failed to get the 30% that had been demanded, Labrooy was satisfied with the final outcome: "Both parties compromised and we reached a win-win situation with the players being fairly compensated, so we are happy."

An more open dialogue with the cricketers is now expected in the future: "The players were hurt that their rights had been sold without proper consultation, now the board has agreed to be more open and we will discuss a longer term plan, including the ICC World Cup next year, after the tournament.

According to Labrooy, the national players are not the main beneficiaries of the deal: "90 percent of money provided by the BCCSL in this agreement will be redistributed to Sri Lanka's first class cricketers."

The 12-team tournament starts on Sept 12 when Sri Lanka take on Pakistan.