Reports: Two banned Sri Lanka cricketers planning to play cricket in USA for $125,000 per year

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) banned Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka for a year from all cricket last month for breaching bio-bubble while in England. Ahead of the ODI series, the trio was seen having fun outside the bubble late night in Durham and soon, the video of the same went viral. They were flown back home soon and after investigation, they were handed a year ban and a hefty fine as well.

However, now it has been learnt that two of out of these three cricketers (names are not known) are planning to leave for the United States of America (USA) and resume their cricket career. One of them reportedly made the call to leave Sri Lanka last week itself and one more cricketer has joined him now.

According to a report by Sunday Morning Sports, the sources claim that the two players are planning to feature in the USA cricketing action for three years and will be earning $125,000 per year during this period. The report also added that the players have got the backing of a legendary player to play the sport in the USA.

“The said arrangement is to play for U.S.A. for $ 125,000 per year, for three years. In his inquiry, the player was proved lying to the disciplinary committee on a fatal accident which he had committed some time ago. Now he is trying to take on the SLC CEO over his punishment.

“This legend is a good pal of the player manager of the two players who now try to leave the country. The legend well known in the cricket circles for playing covert double games,” the source said.

Many players moving to USA to play cricket

Meanwhile, a lot of cricketers who don’t see any future in playing for their country are taking the USA route nowadays. Sri Lanka all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya earlier this year moved to USA with his family and informed SLC that he won’t be available for any international or domestic assignment anymore. Former cricketer Dilhara Fernando had also taken the same route previously.

Moreover, India’s U19 star Smit Patel also moved on after his ambitions to play for India didn’t come true. Apart from him, fast bowler Siddharth Trivedi shifted to USA to play cricket earlier this year.