SLC Reds captain Kusal Mendis

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

SLC Greens captain Dasun Shanaka

SLC Greys captain Ashan Priyanjan

SLC Blues captain Charith Asalanka

SLC Tournament Committee Chairman Samantha Dodanwela

The postponement of the third edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) not only affected Sri Lanka’s chances of hosting Asia Cup 2022, but also deprived the national cricketers of valuable exposure and competition against international players ahead of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.

To overcome this setback and to help the national selectors with the selection of players for the two events Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has arranged an invitational T20 tournament at the R. Premadasa Stadium comprising four teams namely, SLC Reds, SLC Blues, SLC Greens and SLC Greys consisting of the cream of T20 players in the country. The tournament gets underway from today with a double-header Greys v Reds at 3 p.m. and Blues v Greens at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to postpone the LPL for no fault of Sri Lanka Cricket or the event right holders, but due to the present economic crisis Sri Lanka is facing,” said SLC Tournament Committee Chairman Samantha Dodanwela. “LPL would have been the tournament to decide the players for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup since the overseas players would have taken part and the competition would have been great. However, holding this Invitational T20, will give the players the opportunity to prepare themselves for the most important Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.”

“The main objective of the tournament is to give the opportunity to all players to showcase their capabilities, to give them exposure and to pick the best 15 for the Asia Cup and thereafter the T20 World Cup. The fourth team (SLC Greys) consists of players who performed exceptionally well during the club T20 tournament. There are few new names, where the selectors will keep a very close eye. All the selected players will get the opportunity of competing with the best players available and the exposure that they receive will benefit their future. Since the cream of the players will be taking part, intensity level will be very high, and the competition will be of a very high standard.”

As the selectors will have a rough idea of the combinations, they want to go with for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup after the recent home series against Australia and only 15 will be selected, what chance do the rest of the players participating in the tournament have?

“Having said that, I›m sure the selectors will keep an eye on the new players which will help not only for the Asia Cup but also for the future,” Dodanwela said.

Prize money for the Invitational T20 tournament is Rs. one million to the winner, Rs. 750,000 to the runner-up and individual awards of Rs. 250,000 to the Player of the Tournament and Rs. 150,000 each to the Best Batsman of the Tournament and the Best Bowler of the Tournament.

The SLC conducted a similar tournament in August last year ahead of the T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman where SLC Greys led by national white ball captain Dasun Shanaka defeated SLC Reds captained by Dinesh Chandimal by 42 runs in the final played at Pallekele.

Teams

• SLC REDS: captain/wk Kusal Mendis, Lasith Croospulle, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pabasara Waduge, Kalana Perera, Kevin Koththigoda, Sithara Gihman, Asitha Fernando, Head Coach Dharshana Gamage, Assistant Coach Upul Chandana, Manager Shamseer Jaleel
  
   
• SLC BLUES: captain Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, wk Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Suminda Lakshan, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Udara, Lahiru Samarakoon, Ashian Daniel, Nipun Ransika, Head Coach Manoj Abeywickrama, Assistant Coach Malinda Warnapura, Manager Shane Fernando.
  
   
• SLC GREENS: captain Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, wk Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshan Sandakan, Saminda Fernando, Nimesh Vimukthi, Sachindu Colombage, Head Coach Thilina Kandamby, Assistant Coach Ruvin Peiris, Manager Vinothen John.
  
   
• SLC GREYS: captain Ashan Priyanjan, Ashan Randika, Sangeeth Cooray, Thanuka Dabare, wk Minod Bhanuka, Movin Subasinghe, Muditha Lakshan, Akila Dananjaya, Duvindu Tillakaratne, Milan Ratnayake, Lakshan Gamage, Nimasara Atharagalla, Pulina Tharanga, Tharindu Ratnayake, Kasun Vidura, Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Manager Charith Senanayake.

Match Officials

•  Match Referees: ICC Match Referee Graeme Labrooy, ICC Match Referee Wendell Labrooy.
  
   
• Umpiring Panel: ICC Umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri, ICC Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, ICC Umpire.

Lyndon Hannibal, ICC Umpire Prageeth Rambukwella, First-Class Umpire Deepal Gunawardena, First-Class Umpire Keerthi Bandara.

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