The Premier limited over cricket tournament which was postponed twice December 5 and 11 is now geared to be played from December 27 onwards. But again the weather seems to be unsettled with occasional showers being experienced during the day which is going to play a crucial role in the outcome of the matches.

Sri Lankan international spinner, Rangana Herath, is one of the top performers who has switched clubs this season. Pic by Sanka Vidanagama

Nevertheless the 11 teams in the Premier ‘A’ and the ten teams in the Premier ‘B’ have made their final arrangements in fielding the respective players who are to be in action in the next two weeks.

The focus is no doubt in the top division where there are a few ripples with some players changing clubs. According to information Tamil Union are having the best benefit from these changes.

They have been able to attract some best talent in town by calling in T.M. Dilshan who has shifted from Bloomfield for which he has been playing for some seasons along with former Moors players Rangana Herath and Chanaka Welagedera and CCC’s Chaminda Vidanapathirana.

Moors have lost two players in Hasantha Fernando who has shifted to Lankan CC and Damitha Hunukumbura to Badureliya CC. CCC will be at a loss as they have lost three more top players in Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedera who have shifted to NCC and Bathiya Perera to Moors.
The 11 teams in the top category are in charge by reputed players who have represented the national team at various times.

Tamil Union who are the defending champions will be led by Jeewan Mendis with Roy Dias taking over as the coach. Chilaw Marians will be led by Mahela Udawatte with coach being Mahesh Weerasinghe while Kaushal Silva will lead SSC with Avishka Gunawardena as the coach.

Malintha Warnapura will lead Colts with Nishantha Weerasinghe in charge and Upul Tharanga is the captain of NCC with Hemantha Devapriya being the coach. CCC will be led by Nisal Randika with Charith Senanayake as the coach.

Sri Lanka player Chamara Silva will lead Bloomfield with Tharanga Dhammika as the coach while Ragama CC will be led by Kaushalya Weeraratne with Dharshana Gamage as the coach.
Lankan CC, Badureliya CC and Saracens SC will be lead by Hasantha Fernando, T.M. Sampath and Samitha Dushantha respectively with the three coaches being Geethika Warnakula, Duminda Hemal and Dinesh Kumarasinghe.

The pick of the five matches on December 27 is no doubt the game between Tamil Union and Chilaw Marians which should be a close tussle. The two sides are oozing with talent and is interesting to see how the champions with their latest talent face the challenge.

NCC should have little difficulty in brushing off the challenge of neighbours CCC while two other matches between Colts versus SSC and Ragama CC versus Bloomfield should also be closely contested games. Lankan CC who are playing in the top league for the first time will fight out with Badureliya CC and it’s left to be seen how they will cope up in the top league.

Amended schedule of matches:
Premier Tier ‘A’:
December 27 – Tamil Union vs Chilaw Marians at Sara Stadium, NCC vs CCC at NCC, Lankan CC vs Badureliya CC at Moratuwa, Colts vs SSC at Colts and Ragama CC vs Bloomfield at Thurstan ground. December 30 – CCC vs Tamil Union venue to be confirmed, Chilaw Marians vs Lankan CC at FTZ Katunayake, Badureliya CC vs NCC at NCC, Bloomfield vs SSC at SSC and Saracens SC vs Colts at Colts.

December 31 – NCC vs Tamil Union at NCC, Badureliya CC vs Chilaw Marians at Panadura, CCC vs Lankan CC to be confirmed and Saracens SC vs Bloomfield at Reid Avenue.
January 2 – Tamil Union vs Lankan CC at Sara Stadium, CCC vs Badureliya CC at CCC, NCC vs Chilaw Marians at NCC, SSC vs Saracens SC at SSC and Colts vs Ragama CC at Colts.
January 4 – Tamil Union vs Badureliya CC at Sara Stadium, Chilaw Marians vs CCC at FTZ Katunayake, Lankan CC vs NCC at NCC, Bloomfield vs Colts at Reid Avenue and Ragama CC vs Saracens SC at Thurstan Grounds
January 6 and 7 – Semi Finals

January 9 – Final
Premier Tier ‘B’ –
December 28 - Police vs Panadura at Police Park, Navy vs Air Force at Welisara, BRC vs Seeduwa/Raddoluwa CC at BRC, Antonian SC vs Singha SC at Kadirana
December 30 – Panadura vs Air Force at Panadura, Moors vs Police at Braybrooke Place, Seeduwa/Raddoluwa CC vs Singha SC at Thurstan Grounds, BRC vs Army at BRC.
December 31 – Panadura vs Navy at Welisara, Air Force vs Moors at Braybrooke Place, Seeduwa/Raddoluwa CC vs Antonian SC at Thurstan and Singha SC vs Army at Panagoda.
January 2 – Moors vs Panadura at Braybrooke Place, Police vs Navy at Police Park, Army vs Seeduwa/Raddoluwa CC at Panagoda and Antonian SC vs BRC at BRC
January 4 – Air Force vs Police at Rifle Green, Navy vs Moors at Welisara, Singha SC vs BRC at BRC and Army vs Antonian SC at Panagoda.
January 6 and 7 – Semi Finals
January 9 – Final.