Sri Lanka Under-19s to compete among top corporate sides
For the first time in its history the Singer- MCA Premier League Cricket Tournament will feature the Sri Lanka Under-19 outfit, who will get to compete alongside top national players enlisted in the regular line up of six top corporate teams.
Three years ago, the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) made a breakthrough when they invited the Sri Lanka Under-19 team in their Annual Cricket 6s, which the group of young schoolboys surprised top guns to emerge champions. However since then, this will be the very first time the MCA Premier League competition, which includes three formats -- the League, Knockouts and the Twenty20.
According to Sirosha Gunatillake, the newly elected General Secretary of MCA and a member of its Tournament Committee, MCA had made the proposal to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to allow the Sri Lanka Under-19 team to contest in their apex competition, which allows the youngsters to gain the much needed exposure at competition level.
"The MCA made this proposal to SLC five years ago, but nothing positive came back from them. The MCA have been sending the same invitation ever since every year before our Premier League competitions, and for the much delight, this year they gave the green light. Our intention is totally pure and we are genuinely keen to help our youngsters build up their game, as players, and life, as professionals," Gunatillake stated.
The Singer- MCA Premier League Tournament experienced a sudden shock even before its beginning this year, when the number came down to six from ten, after four top corporate teams pulled out at the eleventh hour. The MCA will continue its Premier League with the remaining six teams this year, and the Sri Lanka Under-19 side will be the seventh competitor, most probably a permanent team in the top MCA competition in the future.
"We want to have the Sri Lanka Under19 taking part continuously in the Premier League in the years to come too. What we expect by their participation is nothing, but pure development. This will be a very good exposure for them, as they get to compete with the best cricketers the country has. In addition these players will get the opportunity to join MCA's member companies, once they leave school and continue with their activities in cricket," Gunatillake added.
But the future of Sri Lanka Under-19s continuing their participation will be based on the consent of SLC and the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. The MCA will continue its effort in making the Under-19s a regular team, and this year the youth side will benefit immensely prior to their upcoming bilateral series against Bangladesh Under-19s.
The 27th edition of the MCA Premier League is set to begin from October 13 with 21 matches on the card, followed by the Knockout competition scheduled from November 2 to 23. The Top 6 teams after the two rounds will qualify to compete in the Twenty20 series, which is set to take place from November 25 to 30.
This year's team line up will be last year's League winner LB Finance, led by Lakshan Rodrigo, DIMO, led by Nisala Tharaka, T20 champions MAS Unichela, led by Kusal Janith Perera, John Keells Group, by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sampath Bank led by Jeewan Mendis, Hayleys Group led by Lahiru Thirimanne and the Sri Lanka Cricket U- 19 team, led by Nipun Dhananjaya. The match venues will be MCA, P. Sara Oval, Marians Cricket Ground, Katunayake, Colombo Colts, BRC and SSC.