Sri Lanka Cricket Tournament Committee Chairman Samantha Dodanwela said that he intends to start the 2021-22 domestic cricket season on 20 October with the Major 50-over tournament.

“I’ve sent a circular to the clubs on Thursday evening stating that my intention is to start the domestic cricket season by 20 October assuming the current country lockdown will be lifted on 1 October. That would leave the clubs 20 days to prepare their players for the tournament,” said Dodanwela.

“I have also requested the clubs to do the registration by 10 October for both the Major limited-over and league formats, then to hold a fixtures meeting and to first start with the Major limited-over tournament.”

Dodanwela said that he will be able to finish the 50-over tournament by 10 or 15 November if they can start on 20 October and then commence the Major League tournament. “By 30 October we will make a decision on when to start the Major League. Earlier our decision was to play both tournaments concurrently but the issue is that most of the players are without any fitness or practice. Putting them at once into the three-day format is not fair. First, let them play the limited-over and get their act together and start the league,” said Dodanawela.

With the LPL 2nd edition commencing on 4 December and running till 23 December, Dodanwela said that the Major League matches will be temporarily halted during the period and be continued after the completion of the LPL.

The 2021-22 domestic season was to commence on 5 September with the Major limited-overs tournament but had to be postponed due to the Delta variant pandemic that has resulted in a countrywide lockdown. (ST)

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