SLC slams Jayawardene, Sangakkara over 'criticism of cricket officials'

The Sri Lankan cricket board has reportedly slammed the retiring Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara for their criticism of cricket officials during a red-carpet reception at the airport, after the World Cup-winning Twenty20 team returned home as national heroes.

The two former captains, especially Jayawardene, were upset with reported comments from a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official, who was said to have accused them of announcing their retirement without prior notice to the board.

According to Sport24, SLC has denied allegations that they had made any disparaging remarks against the duo, adding that they consider such statements as 'damaging to both the image of the institution and the officials concerned'.

In an a one-page statement, the board further stated that Jayawardene's allegations were taken seriously because he suggested that the purported remarks by board secretary Nishantha Ranatunga and CEO Ashley de Silva could have demoralised the players.

The statement further said that SLC regrets such 'unsubstantiated accusations' levelled against the secretary and CEO by a 'senior member of the national team' without verifying the facts.

Amid the allegations and denials, both players maintained that they had never publicly announced their intention to quit T20 cricket despite giving interviews talking about retirement.