32 teams for Kandy Div III cricket tournament

The Division three inter club cricket tournament organized by the Kandy District Cricket Association has attracted 32 teams and this tournament will get under way shortly.

This was disclosed by the Honorary Secretary of the Kandy District CA Roland Perera at a press briefing held at Senanai Hotel, Kandy yesterday. Roland Perera said that the 32 teams would be grouped into 8 groups with each group consisting of 4 teams. Thus each will have to play only 3 matches before they go into the next stage of the tournament.

He said that the organizers are aware of the problems faced by the teams in finding suitable venues as the Campus grounds is under repairs and the Pallekele Stadium is required for International commitments and the Prisons Grounds is several feet under water as a result of the Mahaweli River overflowing its banks. Even at the other venues the matches could not be played due to the inclement weather conditions prevailing in the hill country.

He said that several new teams have entered this tournament this year. The University Staff Recreation Club has made its re-appearance at competitive cricket after a lapse of 25 years. The new teams which will be seen in action are Upcountry Lions from Nawalapitiya, Gampola Lions, Kotmale CC, Old Zahirians CC, Old Nugawela CC.

The following teams have entered this tournament

Group A: Old Rajans CC, Upcountry Lions CC, Peradeniya University CC, Gampola Lions CC

Group B: Madawala CC, Vesuvious CC, Blue Universal CC, Saracens CC

Group C: Old Antonians CC, Kandy Cloud CC, Kandy Doctors CC, Bloomfield CC

Group D: Sylvestrians CC, Prisons CC, Bank of Ceylon CC, Kotmale CC

Group E: Gampola CC, Sutherland CC, University Staff RC, Ekamuthu CC

Group F: Kandy Youths CC, Zeylanicans CC, Kandy Cricket Academy CC, Old Zahirians CC

Group G: Old Trinitians SC, Old Nugawela CC, Jayaratne CC, Gampola, Liverpool CC

Group H: Kandy CC, Onslaught CC, Galagedera CC, Black Eagles CC