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Insufficient competition for regulars in the team
By Ranil Abeynaike
After quite some time the National players are involved in domestic cricket. Playing for the country at home and abroad has not permitted them to play in local competitions. The past few weeks have seen them all in action for their clubs, first in the one day competitions and now in the three day games. Lack of fiercely competitive and attractive domestic cricket structure is in my opinion the biggest drawback towards producing quality players capable of stepping into international cricket. It also means that there is insufficient competition for those who are regulars in the Sri Lanka team.

There should be good players constantly breathing down the necks of those in there. A classic example in recent times has been the lack of challenge for Mahela Jayawardena's position. Jayawardena is a top class player who temporarily lost form in South Africa. Unfortunately he was unable to regain form quickly. It required someone to take the opportunity when he was given a break. However, there were no takers. There should have been a batsman raising his head and securing the position.

Undoubtedly there is talent and ability which is not being converted into producing complete products capable of performing against the best in the world. Tilan Samaraweera, Avishka Gunawardena, Jehan Mubarak, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Ian Daniel, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Thilina Kandambi, Prabath Nissanka, Tharanga Lakshitha, Prasanna Jayawardena, Charith Sylvester, Kaushalya Lokuaratchi form a nucleus of players, who should go hell for leather to gain permanent places in the national team. Nishantha and Lokuaractchi have progressed but the others have not performed consistently to raise an eyebrow.

This season the domestic tournaments are better organized than in the past. There has been continuity since the under 23 club games began. A new addition is a three-day tournament to be played in January and February. There has to be a set calendar and a time period for the games to commence and conclude. Just as much as the highest level of domestic cricket is looked into the next level is also important. Very little attention is being paid to division two, club cricket and the second-eleven club competitions. They must keep the pressure on those at the top.

It is a cycle that must be continuously progressive. After school cricket, it is club cricket that provides for the development of the game. At least for another decade it is going to stay that way. Most clubs have a home of their own. Of course there is a major disparity between the "have's" and the "have not's". That must be reduced. Good ground facilities, centre turf and practice facilities, indoor-nets, and Gymnasiums are a must. A well paid professional coach and physio cum trainer, a video and lecture room and swimming pool should be added into the next stage as necessities.

National players must be encouraged to play for the teams in areas, and towns they originate from. Should Sanath Jayasuriya be playing for Matara and Muttiah Muralitharan for Kandy that will no doubt help young players and the game to develop in those areas. The governing body has taken over a new title - "Sri Lanka Cricket"; well and good. Their number one task is to be, to improve domestic cricket, the facilities and attraction by one hundred percent.

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