The SLC Premier League Tournament for the 2017/18 season is all set to begin this Friday, the 1st of December. Let’s take a look at the men who will anchor the 14 clubs in the ‘Tier A’ segment.
Know your ‘Tier A’ Club Captains 2017/18
As the SLC Premier League Tournament 2017/18 is set to begin…
Ruwan Kalpage – Badureliya CC
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Ruwan Kalpage has decided to join Badureliya CC for the first time. He has taken 427 first-class wickets and was a solid bowling all-rounder and brilliant fielder in the 90s. He gained experience as a spin coach in the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh coaching setups. Badureliya will hope his experience gets them through to the super 8 stage.
Jehan Mubarak – Bloomfield C & AC
Former Sri Lankan cricketer and stylish left-hander Mubarak has 11000+ first class runs to his name. The 36-year old tall left-hander played most of his club cricket at NCC and is a new comer to the coaching set-up.
Indika De Saram – BRC
The 44-year old has represented Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game and has vast experience in the first-class arena. De Saram was with BRC last season as well and ended decent season as coach of a tier A team last year and will be hoping for a much-improved effort from the players in the upcoming season.
Tharanga Dhammika – CCC
A man who has the experience of winning a championship, Tharanga will be looking to repeat his feats from his Bloomfield days at CCC too. This will be his third season heading CCC and he will be looking to guide CCC to a title with the leadership of Ashan Priyanjan.
Sarath Jayawardene – Chilaw Marians
A talented fast-bowling all-rounder during his time, Jayawardene had two stints playing first-class cricket in Sri Lanka, one from 1989 to 2002 and the other from 2005 to 2007. He guided Marians to the runner’s up position last season and will be confident of having a go at the championship this year.
Muthumudalige Pushpakumara – Colts
With 3 ODIs to his name and over 285 first class wickets in 126 first class games, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara will look to make maximum use of his bag of tricks to help Colts compete this season. Known as ‘Muthu’, the all-rounder will look to take the young Havelock boys to the title glory this time around.
Gayan Wijekoon – Moors
Having been in danger of being demoted last season, Moors SC has managed to draw the vastly experienced Wijekoon, who has played over 170 first-class matches and 145 list A matches, to take the responsibility of the club along with Domestic hero Chamara Silva as captain. A few big names have also followed Wijekoon to strengthen the Moors unit this year.
Key transfers ahead of the 2017/18 Domestic Cricket Season
The tier ‘A’ segment of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) domestic..
Ruvin Peiris – NCC
47-year old Peiris was a stylish left-hander who has made over 7000 runs in 142 matches. NCC Skipper Angelo Perera is fortunate to have some top cricketers in the side this year and will be seeking to steer NCC back to the title which they last won a few years back.
Mahesh Weerasinghe – Ragama CC
Ragama CC will have the guidance of experienced campaigner Mahesh Weerasinghe, who is among the coaches to have won the highest number of championship titles in the school and club arenas. He was a Provincial coach last year and has decided to make a comeback to the club arena.
Dinesh Weerasinghe – Saracens
Having begun his coaching career while at school, Dinesh has coached many schools such as Lumbini, Mahanama and Thurstan and clubs of the likes of Seeduwa, Raddoluwa, CCC and Chilaw Marians. Brother of Mahesh Weerasinghe, Dinesh will look to make a statement to the reputed teams in the arena.
Sudarshana Guruge – SSC
55-year old Guruge will take over from Gayan Wijekoon who guided them to the championship last season. Skipper Sachithra Senanayake and Guruge will no doubt have their sights set on clinching the title for the second consecutive year.
Omesh Wijesiriwardena – Sri Lanka Ports Authority SC
Fast bowling all-rounder Omesh was a fine cricketer and a new comer to the coaching setup. He will have in his disposal hard hitter Gihan Rupasinghe who will captain SLPA CC coming in the top division, after their promotion this year. Gihan and Omesh have the touch task of keeping the team in Tier A.
>> SLC Premier League Tier A Fixtures
Kapila Weerasinghe – Tamil Union
A former player and coach at SSC, Kapila continues as the head coach from last season at Tamil Union and he will look to use all his knowledge to help skipper Kithruwan Vithanage and guide the team to the domestic title.
Pasan Wanasinghe – Army SC
With 132 first class matches under his belt, Wanasinghe will be looking to guide Army towards glory. Wanasinghe is with the Army outfit for the 3rd consecutive year and will have the likes of Sekkuge Prasanna at his disposal as the Soldiers look to compete for the Tier A title.
