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. |