SLSCA to introduce power-play into junior cricket

By Ranjan Anandappa

In an appalling move the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) has decided to introduce the power play and the Duckworth \Lewis system in the quarter finals of the SLSCA Under 15 and under 17 division one and two junior cricket tournaments which has run into question.

The prelimunary rounds are in progress at the moment.

The SLSCA may be trying to be in conformity with modern day cricket, but by introducing, not only the PP and the D\L system and the other new ODI rules as well, many experts and past stalwarts feel at junior level it would do more harm than good to the future of the game.

The CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket and former captain Duleep Mendis commenting on the usage of power play at junior level told the Sunday Observer that he totally disagreed it being introduced into junior cricket.

More over Mendis said that he was even against the power play at International level.

However , the CEO did not see anything wrong introducing the D\L system.

"The introduction of the D\L system (Duckworth\Lewis) would help to find the ultimate result of the game in case of rain etc. but the power play would do away with your technique" said Mendis.

National selector and a former junior and senior coach Jayantha Seneviratne said that the intended move would largely be detrimental to the junior cricketers in so much as being confusing to them.

The whole concept would be a big jumble to the youngsters.

"I feel the juniors should play the game in a more relaxed manner. The power play and the modern day rules of ODI cricket is used at the Under 10 World Cup as the experts endorse considering the fact that it is the next stepping stone to big time cricket, but not at this level," said Seneviratne.