Nuski nails on the head of cricket

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq 

The absence of a club like the SSC with as many as 10 national cricketers in their ranks in the Major Club 3-day Tier A Tournament has raised grave concern among past cricket administrators and players. 

They fear that not having a club like the SSC that is enriched in history and has long cricket traditions would be quite detrimental to top-class club cricket in the country.

The SSC, along with three other clubs, will be demoted to play in Tier B of the Major Club Tournament next year after finishing within the bottom two of their group in the recently concluded season.

Senior cricket administrator Nuski Mohamed suggests an overall rule change in all Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) conducted tournaments, with appropriate amendments to be passed at an SLC/EGM or SGM to bring forward the promotions effective in 12 months from the current 24-month rule so that it will not affect the quality of domestic cricket long term. 

“In the current context of tournament cricket, there are no promotions in all SLC-conducted tournaments this year but only demotions to reduce the number of clubs participating at the various levels,” points out Mohamed. “So, a club such as the SSC with national cricketers and past Sri Lanka Captains shall have to wait until 2026 to be promoted in the event they win the Tier B title. That is an unduly long wait and will not do justice to Sri Lanka cricket nor to the players themselves. It is like playing Hamlet without the Prince.”

“The SSC is a heavyweight club in the annals of SLC. Their non-participation, with several national players at the highest league, dilute domestic cricket tournaments, of which only the Major Club 3-day Tier A is classified as first-class. The folly will be reputed Sri Lankan players not having the opportunity to play first-class club cricket. Thus, the prolongation of the promotion of a club which wins the championship by a further 12 months could be meaningless and detrimental to the game. An amendment to the rules if thought fit by the hierarchy of SLC to overcome this situation applicable to all SLC-conducted tournaments will be desirable,” states Mohamed, a former Secretary and Treasurer of SLC for nearly two decades.

Three years ago, all the member clubs – SSC inclusive – raised their hands and passed the new rules and regulations to bring down the number of clubs participating in the Major Club 3-day Tournament from 26 to 14 over a period of four years. The first three years, four clubs were to be relegated each year and as the current rule stands, a further two clubs are due to be relegated at the end of the 2025-26 season, before promotion and relegation comes into effect. 

Whilst it is true and it was thought appropriate at that time, nobody ever expected this amendment could affect a top club like the SSC with several national players to be relegated to Tier B. That being so, one has to respect the rules of the tournament under which it was played during the current year and all the clubs need to abide by this and by what has happened. However, according to the current rules, promotions will take place only from the 2026-27 season.

As things stand, the SSC is considered one of the top clubs in the country and a popular Test venue like Lord’s is to England, Melbourne to Australia, and Eden Gardens to India. The SSC is also the home of the SLC headquarters. Without their participation in the top tier, it is taking the sheen away from the country’s principal domestic cricket tournament and dilutes its quality. 

Having as many as 10 national players, like Kusal Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Dasun Shanaka to name a few, in their side, a club like the SSC should not be kept waiting 24 months to win and promote themselves to the Major Club 3-day. It should be sooner than later, provided they win the Tier B title next year.

An amendment to the rule is essential to ensure that national players who are turning out for a club like the SSC meaningfully play in the top level of club cricket. However, rule changes need to be made in respect of all segments of tournament cricket conducted by SLC and not be discriminated against.