The much hyped domestic season of Sri Lanka Cricket is certain to be postponed indefinitely due to grim Covid situation in the Island, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Sri Lanka’s 2021-22 domestic cricket season was scheduled to kick-off with the Major Limited-Over Inter-Club tournament on 5 September and the Major League Inter-Club tournament from 10 September. Both tournaments were supposed to run concurrently to each other and were due to be completed by the end of December.
“Yes it’s been postponed. It will be officially announced today following top board officials meeting” a senior SLC administrator told Cricket Age.
In the domestic season, All 26 clubs will play in the League tournament in two groups of 13 teams each at the end of which the leader of each group will qualify to play in a 4-day final.
“The season has been postponed indefinitely, but the players registration time frame, SGM and other preparations will be taking place as scheduled. So, as soon as situation improves in the country, we can start the season immediately” senior administrator added.
Following the completion of the Major League Inter-Club the top performers in the tournament will be picked by the national selection committee to form five teams that will play in a Super League Tournament which will run from end of January to mid-April after which the 2021-22 domestic season will end.
The island continues to record high numbers of infections and deaths with the entire health system coming under severe strain. The country is witnessing a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 patients with the doctors warning that medical facilities and morgues in the country are reaching their maximum capacities. Lanka’s government has announced night curfew starting Monday to control a surge in the COVID-19 cases. The government, however, has rejected repeated calls from doctors’ and other health sector associations to announce a full lockdown, because of an ailing economy.
