Sri Lanka allows players to stay with IPL

Colombo:  A major standoff between the powerful BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket was averted on Thursday with the island nation extending the deadline for its players' return from the IPL till May 18, a compromise which put an end to the uncertainty over their availability.

Under pressure from the BCCI to extend the original May 5 deadline, SLC relented after a meeting with country's Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and allowed its star players to participate in cash-rich event for 13 more days.

Sources said according to the revised schedule, the players will now participate in the IPL till May 18 and leave from Mumbai for their tour of England after that.

The series against England starts on May 14 with a practice match against Middlesex, followed by another warm-up game against the England Lions on May 19.