The start of third week of the Premier League Tournament was overshadowed by the disturbing news from South Africa that Muttiah Muralitharan now looks unlikely to play in the final Test match of the series. Kumar Dharmasena has already been sent as a replacement from Kenya and it is understood that Ruchira Perera has also been requested.
However, as Sri Lanka's premier cricketers are shuttling around Africa, the next generation was beginning another low-key round of domestic matches. Whether the 176 cricketers who played today will have benefited much for the experience is an open question. Eighteen first-class teams in such a small island invariably means second-rate cricket. No wonder the senior team is struggling.
Nevertheless, Group A joint leaders, Colombo Cricket Club and Bloomfield Sports and Athletic Club, were both forced to fight hard in their respective matches. CCC had the better of their duel with Colts CC and brushed aside Kurunegala last week. However, they spent a tiring day in the field today as Burgher Recreation Club piled up 341 in their first innings at Maitland Crescent.
Mario Villavarayan was the pick of the CCC bowlers, taking four wickets 95 runs, but even he proved to be expensive. The Burgher team - led by wicket-keeper/batsman GST Perera who scored 82 from 156 deliveries – rattled along at three and a half runs per over. There were also half centuries for Warnapura (59) and Jayasinghe (56).
Bloomfield played Galle CC at Reid Avenue. The Galle CC bowlers, led by veteran player coach, Champika Ramanayake, proved to difficult to get away. Bloomfield finished the day on 247 for eight. Sanjaya Rodrigo top scored with a painstaking 68 from 213 deliveries.
Group B leaders, Nondescripts Cricket Club, found times no easier as they were forced to spend the entire first day in the field after NCC captain, Hashan Tillakaratne, opted to field first having won the toss. It's a decision that he might now live to regret as Singha finished the day 228 for four, courtesy of patient half centuries from HHSGS Perera (75) and Asela Wewelwala (66*).
At the S.Saravanamuttu Stadium, Sebastianites have taken the initiative after winning the toss and batting. When play was finally called off for the day after 83 overs they were 246 for five. Wicket keeper/batsman, WN de Silva (96) narrowly missed out on a century and Siriwardane (79) remained unbeaten till the close.
Colts CC, who are currently languishing in the middle of the table, bowled out Kurunegala for 238 and will now be looking for a large first innings tomorrow.
Moors Sports Club, who have faced an exodus of players to Matara CC in recent weeks, struggled against the Navy at Braybrooke Place. They were bowled out for 279. Sampan (59) and Bathiya Perera (64) ensured respectability with a 90 run partnership for the third wicket.
Police Sports Club took on the Air Force at the BRC Grounds. It proved to be a rather turgid affair as the Air Force only managed to score 190 for nine from 78 overs.
© CricInfo
| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Players/Umpires | Mario Villavarayan, Hashan Tillakaratne, Mass Shafi Sampan. |
| Tournaments | Premier League Tournament |
| Season | Sri Lankan Domestic Season |
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