Sangakarra in Soup over his MCC speech

Sangakarra may have to pay the price for criticising SL cricket board

After getting standing ovation for his courageous speech at Lord’s where he criticised the Sri Lanka cricket administration, star Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakarra now faces an angry cricket establishment back home baying for his blood. Sangakarra delivered the 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at the Nursery pavilion at the Lord’s ground on the 4th of July. In the lecture, he welcomed the decision of the ICC to free the cricket boards from political influence. He described the Sri Lanka cricket administration as ‘corrupt and politicised’. Sangakkara received a standing ovation for his stirring, eloquent speech.

But back at home, his speech caused uneasiness among the top brass of the SL Cricket (SLC). He now may have to give an explanation regarding his speech. Sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has ordered an inquiry into Sangakkara’s controversial speech.

A Sri Lanka national news agency Lankapuvath said in its report,

Sports ministry sources said that Sangakkara while delivering the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ lecture had been critical of the past cricket administration in the country and had referred to a political power struggle that had surrounded the game of cricket

It also quoted its sources as saying,

Sangakkara is likely to be called to explain

Last week, the ICC had directed the member boards to ensure no entry of politicians into the national cricket administration. Sangakarra has come under fire for welcoming this step. It is noteworthy that Sri Lanka govt. directly oversees the cricket administration in the country under the sports minister.

You can read the full speech of Sangakarra at the 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture here.