The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 20:20 franchise cricket tournament in Sri Lanka got underway from 26th November 2016 and the finals is set to unfold on 16th December. Five teams with a mix of international and domestic players are competing at the inaugural LPL which was rescheduled several times due to restrictions stemming from COVID-19 pandemic.
Colombo Times spoke to Russel Arnold, International Cricket Commentator, Cricket reviewer and former Sri Lankan Cricketer who is in Sri Lanka as part of the eminent commentary panel for the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Arnold was a multi-faceted cricketer who played for the Sri Lankan team from 1997 to 2007.
“When things are hard if our mindsets are positive it helps us immensely to overcome such feelings. Sports is a great enabler. It gives us something to talk about, to have fun and banter. It changes our frame of mind which is healthy and is much needed” said Arnold sharing his views on how sports help to overcome the mental barriers of the current Pandemic.
Arnold shared enlightening views on many pertinent areas. Excerpts of the interview are as follows.
Q1: Lanka Premier League (LPL) got underway under a cloud of criticism as to the timing of the event. Your thoughts on the LPL and its impact on Sri Lankan cricket?
A1: I think it’s all positives everything depends on how we look at thing. The bottom line is even in a situation like this the fact that there’s something for everyone to look forward to itself is a positive for the mental side of things. For whoever it is, sporting events gives something else to think about rather than being stuck in a rut like we have been for so many months. I remember in the months of March to May where the whole world was under the woes of the lockdown due to the Pandemic, there was a burst of interest in sport when Australia started the Rugby League. This buzz of interest was because it was something live for everybody to witness and to be entertained. Even people from other parts of the world who normally don’t follow Australian Rugby League were watching it because there was nothing much you can do under the lock down and it gave an opportunity to walk away from a depressed state of mind. There are plenty of positives from that angle in the context of LPL as well.
In terms of cricketing line, this is something Sri Lanka needed and to get it going at this stage is a job well done due to the contributions from many from the Ministry of Sports, the military, the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka cricket, all the organizers IPG, Sponsors etc. To make LPL a reality in these challenging times means we have taken a giant step forward in something that Sri Lanka were lacking when you compare with other countries. It’s a good thing for Sri Lanka cricket and it is about building from here. It’s a positive for the players as well they were doing nothing, and it is their livelihood. Sporting events such as the LPL provide earnings not only for the cricketers but around the sporting arena there are other jobs which depend on sports. Even sectors such as transportation, hotel experience positivity and it’s a kick start for such industries.
Q2. The Sri Lankan Budget for 2021 refer to establishing a sports economy of USD 1,000 million by 2025. What are your thoughts on how cricket would contribute to the concept of sports economy and what is your expectation from the policy makers to develop cricket further?
A2. Well they are down the right track and LPL is a big step forward it gives opportunities to youngsters to play and learn from senior players. Most often what happens is you watch the success of players, but you don’t get to see the hard work and the sacrifices and the routines they go through not only in terms of training but also in terms of life style.
The younger players having a firsthand view of how foreign and Sri Lankan international cricket players who have made a name for themselves, go about their business in every way gives them an indication and it gives them a chance to grow in their lives rather than watching success from outside and thinking success comes easy when it is not so. This will help the younger players to develop and the thought process is to give more opportunities, to build more infrastructure around the country and so there is access for lot more youngsters to develop their game.
Another fact is watching certain players make a mark and come out good also encourages other players and even young people in different fields. It gives them hope, self-motivation and the need to strive to achieve their goals.
Q3. Your thoughts on how cricket administrators around the world reacted to the challenges of COVID 19 Pandemic?
A3: I think a lot of people have done well because it’s a global pandemic and there are many issues to resolve and many perspectives to look at. It’s very hard situation since it’s not just what the opposition team needs, but so many other aspects such as the health ministry requirements, the country needs etc. A lot of people need to be associated in a positive matter to get things done. To have so much cricket happening around the world now and for getting things back on the road, I must say they have done very well. We cannot be critical at any stage, we always can say we want much more but we do have to understand that there are many constraints even financial sponsors but still things are moving forward and we are excited and we’re looking forward to Cricket.
Q4. We have witnessed so many outstanding performances in the LPL. In your view who would you identify as the key findings in relation to talent from the LPL?
A4. Well there are quite a few youngsters who have shown their skills and has depicted that they are capable of performing at this level.
I would like to mention some of the tried and tested players who have taken the game to the next level. Danushka Gunathilaka who has been so consistent and batting really well. You can score either by slogging or by playing good cricketing shots. Danushka is playing some good cricketing shots to score and it is a massive plus for him
We have also seen Wanindu Hasaranga who is really turning it on and is becoming a real competitor and the way he is going about he could be a future Sri Lankan Captain as well.
But coming back to the younger players who we have seen to the first time, Ramesh Mendis, Vijaykanth Viyaskanth, Dhananjaya Lakshan are very impressive. All these players have a lot more work to do but they have given Sri Lankans a glimpse of hope and shown what they are capable of and now we must build on them. These are the players now who stand out for me at this stage.
Q5. Have you ever felt you retired too early from cricket?
Well there are times you wouldn’t mind going out there and getting a hit. But for me life has moved on. It’s been 13 years since I retired, and I have no regrets. I’m happy with my decision and with where life has taken me.
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Interviewed and compiled by Rifka Ziyard, Director at KPMG. She is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Fellow member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation, MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Colombo.
