The SLC T20 League 2018 was launched on Friday at the Hilton Colombo Residencies. Four teams Colombo, Dambulla, Galle and Kandy will be in the fray in the 12-day tournament which will commence on August 21 with the finals to be played on September 2. Colombo will be captained by Dinesh Chandimal, Dambulla by Thisara Perera, Galle by Suranga Lakmal and Kandy by Angelo Mathews. Each team comprises of a 21-member squad. A significant feature of the tournament will be giving young talent the opportunity to impress and go up the ladder.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Mr. Ashley de Silva stated Sri Lanka Cricket initially planned to hold the Lankan Premier League involving local and international players.
“But due to the circumstances thereafter it had to be replaced by an alternative T20 League. In fact, in the original SLC T20 League envisaged SLC had plans of different concepts that would have been more innovative. The first objective was to initiate a pathway for young players to compete with the cream of national players as well as international players. The other objective was to secure a window for the next five years on the concept mooted by SLC,” the CEO further observed.
Meanwhile, Tournament Director, Mr. Sajith Fernando, while expressing his delight at the staging of such a tournament, was confident that the tournament will be successful.
“This tournament is going to be one of the best of its kind in Sri Lanka. It will be more lucrative by way staging it to the best of international standards and player incentives of prize money. The winners will receive Rs.2 million and the runners-up Rs.1.5 million. Although there are no international players participating, this will be a good tournament envisaging day-night cricket on a round robin basis,” he said.
National Selector, Eric Upashantha said that the tournament format was of a different nature to previous ones that would give more exposure to youngsters. “This would be the first time a 19-year old has got the opportunity to perform at such a level”.
Skipper of the Kandy Team, Angelo Mathews, responding to a question, said that this tournament was a window for youngsters and ‘we will see lot of youngsters coming through.’
Skipper of the Colombo Team, Dinesh Chandimal said that this Tournament would be the stepping stone for out of form players to perform and attract the selectors.
The tournament commences on Monday, August 20 with the final scheduled for Sunday, September 2.
THE TEAMS:
COLOMBO:
Dinesh Chandimal (Capt.), Upul Tharanga (Vice Capt.), Mahela Udawatte, Avishka Fernando, Sachithra Serasinghe, Shammu Ashan, Lasith Abeyratne (WK), Kamindu Mendis – U19, Chathuranga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Ambuldeniya, Ashen Bandara U19, Nuwan Pradeep, Asitha Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Rashmika Dilshan – U19, Priyamal Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Vishwa Chathuranga, Lahiru Madushanka, Nimsara Attanagalla.
Selector Jerry Woutersz, Manager Gajaba Pitigala, Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene.
DAMBULLA:
Thisara Perera (Capt.), Dilruwan Perera (V. Capt.), Sadeera Samarawickrema (WK), Ruvinudu Gunasekera, Ashan Priyanjan, Ramesh Mendis, Minod Banuka (WK), Nipun Karunanayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramith Rambukwella, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Amila Aponso, Sehan Madushanka, Dilesh Gunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Vikum Sanjaya, K.K. Kevin – U19, Nawanidu Fernando, Irosh Samarasuriya.
Selector Eric Upashantha, Manager Vinothan John, Head Coach Sumithra Warnakulasuriya.
GALLE:
Suranga Lakmal (Capt.), Dimuth Karunaratne (V. Capt.), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Jehan Daniel – U19, Dhananjaya de Silva, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffery Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Vimukthi Perera, Lahiru Milantha, Nishan Mathuska – U19, Mohamed Dilshad, Kasun Madushanka, Shan Archchige.
Selector Gamini Wickramasinghe, Manager Nalinda Illangakoon, Head Coach Roy Dias.
KANDY:
Angelo Mathews (Capt.), Dasun Shanaka (V. Capt.), Sadun Weerakkody (WK), Kusal Janith Perera (WK), Charith Asalanka, Dananjaya Lakshan – U19, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachith Pathirana, Nisala Tharaka, Malinda Pushpakumara, Janaka Sampath, Praveen Jayawicreme – U19, Vshwa Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Thikshila De Silva, Nipun Ransika- U19, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Silva, Camila Karunaratne, Lahiru Gamage, Kaveesha Anjula.
Selector; Graeme Labrooy, Manager Priyantha Udayaratne, Head Coach Piyal Wijetunge.
By Srian Obeyesekere
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