Under 15 and U.17 cricket under ICC International ODI laws

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: This year too, the junior school cricketers (under 15 and 17) will play their school cricket matches with the flavour of the ICC International ODI tournament laws where the power plays, field restrictions, free hit for the foot fault no ball. Match referees, Duckworth/Lewis system will be enforced from the quarter final stage onwards in division 1 and 2 in case of a rain affected match etc. In case of of a rain interrupted match in the first round of the tournament, the winner will be ascertained by the parabola system.

The division 1 and 2 of the under 15 and under 17 will commence on June 13 and the first round matches should be completed in a months time (July 13).

From the quarter final stage onwards, the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) will provide the facilities to play all matches on turf strips where the youngsters would get the opportunity and the exposure to play on turf wickets. A record number of 372 schools will meet each other in different groups in the division 1 under 15 while 250 schools will take part in the under 17 division one and two.

The division three tournament of both age categories will take place soon after the draw which is scheduled to be held in due course.