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Club cricket fizzles out
Last Sunday's column dealt with the club cricket season and some of its inadequacies. In the week that has passed the lament has had to go even further.

The two semi final games of the Premier Division was worked-off and the final will be played this afternoon (Sunday). One game ended in a low scoring affair whilst the other was affected by rain. The games were advanced from Tuesday and Thursday of the week to Monday and Tuesday, disrupting the earlier schedule. The reason given for this late change, as it was effected on the Friday before, was to accommodate two Nondescript Cricket Club players on tour with the national team to New Zealand, to get some practice!! It points out that the cricket played in the preceding weeks and the training of the national squad has been inadequate. The remedy - cramp in one game of one day cricket for the benefit of a couple of players! It wouldn't happen in any of the major international cricket playing countries.

The decision to advance the games must have taken the ground authorities at the Premadasa Stadium unawares. In a week leading up to a game there is a plan for preparation of the pitch and outfield. Advance a game and in this case it was two games and the plans have to go out of the window.

In the opening game between the N.C.C. and Chilaw Marians, the seamers got assistance in the initial hour and the spinners were difficult to handle as the game progressed. The water applied would not have dried out completely when the game commenced at half-past-two in the afternoon. Then as the moisture evaporated completely the track started to crumble and the spin bowlers took control. To add to that the N.C.C. batsmen did not apply themselves sufficiently and their shot selection was also poor. They bowed out of the tournament. In the end neither the touring Sri Lankan players nor the team benefited.

Chilaw Marians have become a force to reckon with in club cricket. They have climbed steadily through the ranks to reach this status. Although the name of the club suggests that this is a team that hails from the sea side town of "Chilaw", it is not so.

They carefully recruit players to fill in the roles where they are short staffed. Most of the players are those who have had success and can continue to blossom, plucked out of other clubs. Outstanding schoolboys from outside the Colombo district also make their way into this team. Club cricketers get paid through money received from Sri Lanka Cricket. Some clubs add to that using funds from their own coffers. Money lures and the Marians have collected a capable unit of players who "sing well for their supper".

Now that they are established they look to promote more players who reside between Negombo and Puttalam. They will give them an identity with Chilaw to a greater extent and also promote the game more in that area.

Rain ruined the second semi final with only eighteen overs possible. Galle CC had to exit, giving way for Tamil Union to contest the finals. Tamil Union who were a major force in club cricket in days gone by, have re-emerged after quite a while. It is good to see them vie to be champions. Strong clubs, SSC, NCC, Bloomfield and CCC did not get final berths both in the three day and one day tournaments. Instead Colts CC, BRC, Chilaw Marians CC and Tamil Union CC got there. That was the only bright light.

I shall end with the same last para as last Sunday. "The main club cricket season for 2004-2005 is nearly done. Has it done what it should have done? That is to produce a handful of names as worthy contenders for the next level. My answer to that, NO. The tournaments have not produced the desired results."

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