One-month hiatus ends – domestic cricket commences today

• 16 matches down for decision in Major Club League and Invitational Club Tier B

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Following a month-long hiatus where all domestic competitions were suspended subsequent to a Sports Ministry intervention, the Major Club League 3-day and the Invitational Club Tier B 3-day (non-first-class) will commence with a card of 16 matches from today.

Top of the pile is the match between defending champions CCC and SSC at the CCC grounds. SSC placed third in Group A hold onto a 17-point lead over CCC and will want to consolidate their position if not improve it. CCC with a game in hand will be well placed if they can get the upper hand of SSC.  

The other game that takes precedence over others is the clash between second placed Bloomfield and third placed Police SC from Group B. Like CCC, Police SC have a game in hand and trail Bloomfield by seven points. A win for Bloomfield will propel them to the top of the table provided that leaders Ace Capital CC fail to derive full points from Kurunegala YCC at Kurunegala.   

Colts and Ragama CC one-two in Group A have relatively easy games where they will be looking to grab maximum points. Colts aiming to win the title in this their 150th year host seventh placed Army SC, while Ragama CC play eight placed Nugegoda SWC at Thurstan College grounds. 

NCC too have a chance of improving their position from fourth when they host a struggling Tamil Union outfit who are third from the bottom of the table. 

Other matches commencing today are the bottom of the Group B table clash between Sebastianites and Air Force SC at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa, Galle CC v BRC at Galle Stadium, Negombo CC v Kandy Customs SC at BOI Katunayake, and Chilaw Marians CC v Moors SC at Maggona.

Meanwhile, the Invitational Club Tier B will also recommence their matches with a card of six games despite a court ruling hanging over their heads following a protest by Gesto SC over the selection of six clubs from the Governor’s trophy to play in Tier B. These six clubs along with the four demoted clubs from the Major Club League from last season form the 10 clubs playing in Tier B. The court ruled that the tournament can continue until the next hearing which is fixed for 26 September.

The matches commencing today are: Navy SC v Saracens SC at Welisara, Kalutara TC v Lankan CC at Aarons Horana, Ambalangoda Singha SC v Malay CC at Army grounds, Karandeniya, Old Dharmapalian SC v Moratuwa SC at Army grounds, Dombagoda, Kandy CC v United Southern SC at Gajaba Saliyapura, and Rio SC v Leo CC at Milleniya.