Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in a bold decision has decided to scrap the inter-club under 23 tournament division one three-day tournament and replace it with two limited-overs tournaments, 50-overs and T20s.
According to reliable sources, there was an initial thought by Sri Lanka Cricket president, Thilanga Sumathipala to conduct an under 21 provincial tournament instead of this tournament but after much debate, the stake holders and the tournament committee have decided to go ahead with the inter-club under 23 tournament but in a limited-overs format.
For the past few decades, almost all national cricketers have stepped onto the club cricket circuit after completing their school careers with this inter-club under 23 tournament which was played in the three day format but with this change, the quality of cricket will certainly be diluted.
In the past, 14 teams played in the division one tournament in a three-day tournament and around 22 teams played in the division two tournament in a two-day segment.
This year it will be 24 teams comprised of 14 premier clubs and 10 emerging clubs playing in four groups as the tournament is scheduled to be kicked off during the first week of July, ThePapare.com learns.
The two tournaments will be played in coloured clothing under all ICC rules and regulations. Each team will play five games in their respective groups and the top two will proceed to the knockout stage of 8.
Usually, a player receives approximately SLR 4500 for a match day and making a total of SLR 13,500 per match but there will be no player payments this year, according to reliable sources.
Last year, Moors Sports Club and Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club were crowned joint champions after the final was washed off.
According to reliable sources, there are talks of a three-day U23 provincial tournament to be played after the 50-over and T20 tournaments are over but it is not confirmed yet.
Many young players have shown displeasure about this concept as it hinders their ability to play the longer formats in the near future. Most school cricketers who are not eligible to play the U15 or U17 inter-schools tournaments participate in this tournament to get useful exposure before the U19 inter-schools season begins in September.
The only positive of this tournament would be that the senior teams will get the opportunity to strengthen their base of youth players before the start of the 2016/17 domestic season.
Participating clubs – Moors, Tamil Union, Colts, SSC, NCC, CCC, Bloomfield C & AC, SL Army SC, Badureliya CC, Ragama CC, Chilaw Marians CC, Saracens CC, Galle CC, SL Ports Authority CC, BRC, Police SC, Navy SC, Lankan CC, Air Force SC, Kurunegala Youth CC, Kalutara Town CC, Kalutara Physical CC, Panadura SC and Moratuwa SC.
Will the quality of young Sri Lanka players get more weaken with this move? State your opinion below.
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