National Super League cricket from Jan. 24
The five teams formed National Super League (NSL), Limited Over Cricket Tournament will be worked off from January 24th. The tournament which conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is going to be more competitive as National players are among these teams.
The NSL contested by the five teams – Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Dambulla, and Kandy will commence first with the limited-over matches (50 overs) played twice on a round robin basis.
The first-round matches will take place in Colombo at SSC and P. Sara Oval grounds while the second-round matches scheduled to be played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. After the Zimbabwe three ODI series on 21st National cricketers also get chance to take part this tournament.
The top two teams in the league will qualify to play in the final on February 19th at Pallekele. The five teams comprise the 26 clubs taking part in SLC’s Major tournaments and have been divided equally with four teams each having five clubs and the fifth team (Dambulla) six clubs allocated by way of a draw.
Sri Lankan white ball captain Dasun Shanaka has been made Captain of Colombo team while five clubs players SSC, Saracens, Negombo CC, Sebastianites, Police SC allocated to the Colombo team which coached by Ruwin Pieris.
The Galle team will lead by former Sri Lanka Skipper Angelo Mathews and coached by Jehan Mubarak. The five club players from Colts, Army, Panadura SC, Galle CC, Moors SC have been allocated for the Galle team. Meanwhile, Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the Jaffna side which is coached by Thilina Kandamby, and five clubs Tamil Union, Ragama CC, Lankan CC, Kalutara TC, Bloomfield allocated for the Jaffna team. Ashan Priyanjan will have the Sri Lanka Under-19 Coach Avishka Gunawardene as a coach when he leads Dambulla while six clubs CCC, BRC, Navy SC, Badureliya SC, Kurunegala YCC, Nugegoda S&WC have been allocated for the Dambulla team.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Kamindu Mendis who was the former National under 19 captain has been allowed to lead the Kandy team. He will have the services of Malinda Warnapura as a coach while five clubs NCC, Chilaw Marians, Ace Capital CC, Air Force, Kandy Customs have been allocated for the Kandy team.
Sri Lanka Cricket is looking at supporting the cricketers financially through this new tournament by lifting the standard of their cricketing ability and lifestyle and this is a good move for the local cricketers. In addition, the youngster Kamindu Mendis who made his maiden half-century at the second Zimbabwe ODI on Tuesday also has a good chance for him to develop leadership qualities.
After the NSL limited cricket tournament, SLC is expected to conduct the four-day league tournament which will be held from February 25th with the same five teams participating for this tournament.