Limited Over champions Marians critical of the domestic structure
The whole of Sri Lanka is fond of the two clans of ‘Marians’ who have reached the pinnacle in their respective fields. One is a musical band, who transformed from ordinary to iconic, and the other, a cricket club, that had a humble beginning and sustains its authority for two decades since they reached Premier status.
Both these Marians have one in common — they originated from St. Mary’s College in Chilaw. Known around the world of cricket as ‘Chilaw Marians’ or simply Marians among the local fraternity, the club has achieved many accolades since reaching Sri Lanka’s top tier in cricket.
Not only have they won over 20 top titles ever since, but Marians have become a strong contributor to the national grid, providing players as well as ideas and opinions that are critical to empower cricket in Sri Lanka.
Although opposing Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) structure of having a Listed ‘A’ competition among 25 teams, Marians went on to bag their third title in the shorter version of the game at the concluded ‘SLC Invitational Limited Overs Tournament 2019/20′.
Chilaw Marians were joint champs in 2005 and a second before they humbled Nondescript Cricket Club (NCC) by 91 runs in the finals played on the New Year eve. Yet the club’s General Secretary, Godfrey Dabrera, was highly critical on the fact that the competition did not possess the anticipated quality.
“We, as a club, would have preferred to play in a competition of 10 teams, because we believe in the quality and not quantity. Even if Marians is not in that 10, we would still prefer that to happen, because there should be a standard and quality. SLC inquired from clubs, before the competition, and we gave them our opinion as a club. But in the end our opinion was in the minority,” Dabrera said.
Since its initiative in 1975, Chilaw Marians have come a long way and even was at a time the world record holders for the highest total in Twenty20 cricket. They were in the record list for a second time after initially claiming the record against Colts by scoring 227-7 in September, 2004 at the R. Premadasa. The second time they made 228-9 against CCC in January 2016 at Colts.
But in-between they played quality cricket and have maintained their quality as one of the best, or perhaps the best cricket clubs Sri Lanka has ever seen, for many, mere reasons.
“Some can say that our opinion is incorrect, but we have to understand that clubs must perform well. For that to happen clubs must have quality players, and clubs should not be profit-making ventures. The motive of cricket clubs should be to contribute to the game and preserve it with the highest quality. I cannot blame others for their varying opinions, but even Chilaw Marians is not above the game.”
Marians has been streaming ahead for two decades in the biggest river of country’s cricket, mostly because of their open and transparent policies. They have had star-studded outfits and out of nowhere they have an average team with mostly not-so famous names in domestic cricket. But right throughout they have maintained standards, by simply following straightforward strategies.
“Marians, in my opinion, is the most successful cricket club existing. We didn’t have an office, the club was in my suitcase, but I never gave up and ran the show. The administration of the club should know how to maintain their standards, first and foremost. If we fail in that, we go behind players, begging them to join us and this is currently happening at most places,” recalling the path to success and sustainability, Dabrera explained.
“A successful club is a combination of good administrators, players, support staff and contributors. If one of these go on begging from another, and if someone thinks he is better than the other or even higher than the sport, there’s something terribly wrong there. Everyone should know their roles.”
Dabrera, a seasoned administrator and a well experienced cricket expert, has knowledge of over four decades that makes him a perfect role model to any cricketer or administrator. With his familiarity, Dabrera outlined that Sri Lanka does not suffer a dearth of quality players.
“We must accept the fact that there are at least 150 good First Class players in the country. To conduct a tournament among 25 clubs, there should be at least 400 players. If the competition is among 10 top clubs with the rest playing in lower divisions, of course the best 150 players will be in the competition. Now, players are being dragged by the large number of clubs, leaving very little option or going for overseas players from India or Pakistan. Even some of the good clubs had to face the catastrophe because of the ongoing structure. That’s the reason why Marians is strongly supporting the 10-team competition, even if we had to move to the lower division due to our own setbacks as a single club.”
For Chilaw Marians, who had claimed the SLC Premier League, Limited Overs, Twenty20 and even the Under-23 titles more than once, winning a silverware is more than a habit nowadays. The club administration follows a structure similar or even sometimes better on par with SLC when it comes to managing its teams of First Class, Under-23 or even Women’s.
The concluded Limited Overs title, gave an insight for the Marians to further develop their strategies for the upcoming Twenty20 and Premier League campaigns. Among players such as Shehan Jayasuriya, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Thikshila de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Lasith Croosepulle, the 27-year-old Indian Sumit Ghadigaonkar from Mumbai stood out despite making his First Class debut for the Sri Lankan club. He appeared in three games and made 278 runs with knocks of 100 vs Panadura SC, 99 vs SSC and 79 against NCC in the final.
“In Mumbai there are around 2500 to 3000 low grade players who play good cricket, which obviously means that their standard is far better than our First Class. Last year we had an Indian player, who made his First Class debut and took 58 wickets, and went on to play in the Ranji Trophy last season, because of his performance here. We don’t bring down overseas players. Sometimes we lose players because of national duty, and sometimes even the bench is not strong enough for replacements. We are a club and we do have plans for a season. If we bring down, we get the best. They play better cricket than most of our players, and in return they contribute to Sri Lanka cricket.”
Marians have around 24 players in the squad, with 13 reserves, mostly from the Under-23 category. The administration keep them in the squad and train them with the seniors, giving them the same facilities and perks. The intention is to give them the opportunity when the correct time strikes.
“Since 1975, and being 20 years in the Premier League, as a club we must adhere professionalism to the sport. Marians look after the players throughout the year, they are given a family insurance package. We are having more plans to complete the process to transform our players as fully professionals. In return, the players are loyal to the club and that’s our secret of success.”
The SLC Invitational T20 Tournament kicked off yesterday, and Chilaw Marians will be eyeing for a second title of the season, before they head for the four-day Tournament. The coaching staff headed by Sarath Jayawardene, who was brought down from Malaysia three years ago to replace Mahesh Weerasinghe who served as Head Coach for 13 years.
“We have a complete support staff and a very good structure. Our prime objective is the welfare of the players, and I’m proud to say that Marians are going great guns as a cricket club in Sri Lanka because of these reasons. As for the Twenty20 competition, it’s a version that is mostly based on luck and where anything can happen. But for the Premier, we have a structured plan, and Chilaw Marians will be delighted to claim a triple crown and move forward as a strong club in the country,” stated Dabrera, taking great pride in leading one of the two outside forces originated from St. Mary’s College, Chilaw besides the musical band, which is already a perfection in the entertainment industry in the country.