Dilrook Kannangara

Dismal performance of Sri Lankan cricketers in Asia Cup 2023 and ICC CW 2023 can be attributed to many things. However, what is most intriguing is the bizarre circumstances they have put themselves in. Getting all out for 50 odd runs in both last encounters with India is a very strange fluke as the matches were played in two different countries. Getting out by most unusual circumstances is another. Dropping easy catches is yet another. It is reasonable to question if they are involved in spot-fixing.

Other aggravating circumstances include continuous economic slide of the country for the past 4 years which has made everyone poorer. Lucrative IPL contracts are not available to most cricketers in the team. Domestic and other international tournaments haven’t provided them enough for the luxurious lifestyle they lead. Given the ICC ODI ranking in September 2023 (before the World Cup) it was obvious Sri Lanka will not make it to the Semis. For most players this is their final World Cup. Under those circumstances it’s now or never for them to make a quick buck. It is only human to exploit any business opportunity to make money if they can avoid repercussions. Spot fixing is not uncommon in the Indian subcontinent. A number of Pakistani and Indian players were found to have done it and it is only reasonable to have a suspicion that Sri Lankan players are not too far. They are under similar economic difficulties and peer and societal pressure.

Spot-fixing is nearly impossible to prove as no party divulges it for their own protection. Therefore, it is a very safe way to circumnavigate the laws. Match fixing on the other hand is easier to prove and players avoid it.

The best long-term approach to avoid or reduce spot fixing is to improve the game so that players will believe in performance and resultant higher earnings, allow players to make money by any and all legitimate means, vet players based on performance and psychological assessment, assess players’ commitment to the team, provide counseling where needed and investigate suspected match fixing and spot fixing events.