Sri Lanka's decision to allow the IPL to take priority over next year's tour of England has not impressed Haroon Lorgat.
Decision to put IPL first dismays Lorgat
Sri Lanka Cricket's decision to allow their Indian Premier League-contracted players to skip the 2009 tour to England has produced a sharp reaction from the International Cricket Council.
The tour is scheduled to feature two Tests and three one-day internationals from April-May next year, a date that clashes with the lucrative Twenty20 competition.
But Sri Lanka's players, who are the lowest paid in the world, have since agreed with the SLC that
the IPL will take priority.
That could mean they arrive in 2009 without the likes of captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya and Lasith Malinga.
Advice
"My folks always warned me to be careful because money is the root of all evil," said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.
"The root of this issue is the sums of money involved. It is far more attractive financially to play in the IPL."
Lorgat admitted the ICC had little choice but to create a window in the international calendar for the IPL.
"I suspect that the prospect of a window for IPL is a subject that will not disappear from the radar," he added.
"To satisfy players financially by relying on their payments from IPL is not sustainable.
Educate
"Players have short careers and they want immediate rewards but we have to educate them about the development of the game.
"All of us, players included, must be responsible during this time of enormous opportunity."
The England and Wales Cricket Board had only recently confirmed the schedule after inviting Sri Lanka following the cancellation of Zimbabwe's tour.
Further negotiations are expected to take place between the SLC and ECB in an effort to find a compromise.
"We are trying to adjust the dates, even to shorten the tour or send a second team," SLC chief executive Duleep Mendis said Friday.
"I don't know if they'll agree to play a second team."
There is little leeway for the tour to be pushed back in the calendar with England hosting the World Twenty20 tournament in June followed by Australia's visit for the Ashes series.
