Tournament committee grapples with vagaries of weather

Thursday, 29 May 2025 03:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Only one out of six Major Clubs T20 matches played

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Angelo Perera helped Nugegoda SWC lift themselves from the bottom of Group B with a half-century

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Tournament Committee headed by Nalin Aponso was left grappling with the vagaries of the weather as another day passed in the ongoing Major Clubs T20 tournament with only one of six matches down for decision yesterday going ahead while the rest were abandoned without a ball bowled.

It was another frustrating day for cricket as yesterday’s total washouts brought the total number of matches abandoned without a start to nine so far.

“We are unable to do anything, we cannot postpone the matches because it would disrupt the rest of the domestic calendar and overlap the LPL, the Major Club Limited Overs and the Bangladesh tour. We want to wait until Saturday and assess the situation and make a decision on how we can move forward,” said Aponso.

“Some of the teams have played four matches like Kurunegala YCC, CCC and BRC. There is a small issue here as they have only two matches left. Other clubs have three matches each. Whether we should continue with the tournament or not we need to make a decision after Saturday’s matches.”

Following the conclusion of yesterday’s games, the next set of matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Although it didn’t rain yesterday and there was a hint of sun, the previous day’s downpour had left its indelible mark on the grounds with the outfield inundated with water. It needed strong sunshine and a wind to dry the surface but that was not forthcoming at any of the three venues in Colombo barring of course the P. Sara Oval where Nugegoda SWC and Chilaw Marians CC played out a 13 overs-a-side match.

Unlike in international matches, the grounds are not entirely covered but only the pitch and the immediate surrounding area which leaves the rest of the ground exposed to the whims of the weather.

Nugegoda SWC lifted themselves off the bottom of Group B with a 13-run win against Chilaw Marians CC. In the bottom of the table clash, Nugegoda SWC did well to defend their score of 110-6 by restricting Chilaw Marians CC to 97-8. Former NCC captain Angelo Perera who leads Nugegoda SWC hit an aggressive 57 off 36 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes) and his stand of 91 with Akram Muthalib (31*) after the first three wickets had fallen for four runs, steadied the Nugegoda SWC batting. Sammu Ashan with his off-breaks was the pick of the Chilaw Marians CC bowlers with 4/25. Although Chilaw Marians CC were off to a flying start posting 36-1 in the fourth over they failed to maintain that tempo as seamers Akila Dilshan and Abdul Hakam got amongst the wickets. Apart from Sakuna Liyanage (30* off 18), no other batsmen made any worthwhile contribution.

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