Premier League Tier ‘B’ also to get first class status
View(s):By S.R. Pathiravithana
Both Tier ‘A’ and ‘B’ clubs in the Premier League Tournaments will be granted first class status from the coming season which is scheduled to get underway from end October/November this year.
Yesterday, the SLC hierarchy which included its President Thilanga Sumathipala and Secretary Mohan de Silva met the members of the twenty-four participating clubs along with the SLC tournament committee, at its headquarters at Maitland Place.
There the membership discussed ways of taking the club system forward. There the membership agreed to have a relegation and promotion system and tail ender of the Tier ‘A’ will swap places with the top dog of the Tier ‘B’.
Then it was agreed to make the Tier ‘B’ also a first class tournament – a drive that was taken to enable the scores of first class players who seek club contracts in mainly England and Australia – where the first class status is a must.
It is learned that this system where the Tier ‘B’ had first class status was in operation in the 2007 Club season. However the membership decided that if the Tier ‘B’ is be given first class status, the quality of the tournament also would have to be upgraded – especially the wickets and other facilities.
The membership did not have any qualms about the tournament played with the Pink ball and they were of the view that it is time that the Lankan tournaments adopted innovations adopted by International cricket.
The membership also pointed out the importance of continuity. For that Sumathipala and company decided to call a Special General meeting in December and seal the deal for a period of five years, so that it could not be changed during that time.