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The current tournament structure at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and at inter-School level needs to be revamped soon. There has been much talk of this but
sadly nothing has been done. The newly appointed Interim Committee has been quick to recognise this need and appears to be working on some changes. Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has been entrusted with the task of proposing the changes and revamping the tournament structure.
Already reports have trickled in indicating that the SLC Interim Committee wants to focus on quality rather than quantity, which augurs well for the future while there are also indications of bringing back the Inter-Provincial Tournament. This
tournament had been conducted in the past and proved to be a failure. Every
time it was conducted the results were the same and the SLC has admitted that it was a failure – in other words it failed to deliver the expected results, not once but every time it was held. If that was so, one cannot understand why the SLC Interim Committee and Mahela Jayawardene want to have another crack at this tournament.
Already there is a Premier League (three days and four days in the super eight stage) and a Premier Knock-out tournament where 14 premier clubs participate. This tournament is conducted annually and has been used as the yardstick for selection. Instead of looking at reviving the Inter-Provincial tournament, the SLC Interim Committee should look at upgrading this tournament as its structure is firmly in place and is well supported and accepted by the 14 premier clubs it is
up to the SLC to drive it to the next level so that the desired results would be achieved.
there is no purpose in changing for the sake of change. The changes must be able
to resolve the existing issues
Player payments, infrastructure facilities, practice facilities, cricket equipment etc. should be enhanced and improved considerably if the SLC is to attract, retain and develop cricketers who can stand up and be counted at international level.
So yes, there is a change that is needed, urgently. But SLC needs to be careful here, as there is no purpose in changing for the sake of change. The changes must be able to resolve the existing issues and put Sri Lanka Cricket back on track rather than derail it further.
