Sri Lankan cricket hit by pay crisis

Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive officer Ajith Jayasekera said a Saturday deadline passed with 23 international players failing to sign new contracts. The First Test starts on March 8 at Galle even as players insists they need a 25 percent share of all payments made by ICC as guarantee money for tournaments besides a business class ticket for a spouse to travel on tour.

Sri Lankan sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage

SL sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said: "I've told them (SLC) to pick a new team for the Bangladesh tour if the seniors refuse." He said senior players earn Rs four million ($32,000) a month, or about 400 times the salary of a graduate entering government employment.