Star paceman Lasith Malinga and ‘mystery’ spinner Ajantha Mendis too have been given a raw deal.

Two of the country’s genuine match-winners Malinga and Mendis have only been offered category four contracts while Test regular Thilan Samaraweera is controversially given a top, category one contract along with Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardena and TM Dilshan.

Malinga, a proven match winner with his uncanny ability to bowl yorkers at will at the death, should have been rewarded better for his contributions in the past 12 months despite not featuring in the longer version.

Malinga has been recalled to the national side that will play a three-match Test series with India starting next Sunday.
On the other hand, mystery spinner Mendis, who had a dream international debut in Tests and ODI’s was struggling to get his form back in the recent past which may have prompted the selectors for their decision.

Mendis was left out of the Asia Cup tournament and was also dropped from the forthcoming Test series against India, but might return to the squad after the first Test in Galle, where Muralitharna will bow out of the game.

Jayasuriya has been through a dismal run of form where he scored a solitary half century in 12 ODI matches during the last 12 months.

Upul Tharanga, Thilan Thushara, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Prasanna Jayawardena and Chamara Kapugedara are included in the category four lists of contracts.

However, the question asked is how Samaraweera who is only a regular in the Test format was given a top contract. Considered more of a Test batsman Samaraweera has only scored two centuries in his 39 outings and has batting average of little over 27.

Meanwhile young Dinesh Chandimal, who featured in four ODI’s, has managed to earn a national contract and he is given a category six contract along with promising spinner Suraj Randiv. All-rounder Angelo Mathews is given a category three contract while Nuwan Kulasekera is given a category two contract.

Category five includes Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welagedara and opener Tharanga Paranavithana.

Meanwhile a statement from the Sri Lanka Cricket says that 10 more people will be added to the list after the conclusion of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ tour of Australia.(LBN)