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Spokesman for Colts

Sometimes one feels a bit awkward the way domestic competitions, especially the ones that are supposed to be the topmost level, are timed. Sri Lanka is currently playing against Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series, but the NSL is supposed to be a One Day or List 'A' tournament, spanning for nearly 27 days. If the purpose of this competition is to select players for future ODIs, then there's a question mark as Sri Lanka's next ODI assignment comes in five months.

In addition, will the named players from the current national white-ball squad be able to play at least three matches as they will have to enter a bio bubble prior to leaving for Australia for a five-match T2I series.

The organisers haven't announced the team management as yet, and at least has any of the squads begun training together as a team with only a few days left for the NSL. This is a question of quality, not quantity and how can

NSL help our cricketers, in which way is a big question.

Another factor is the venues. If the organisers really thought deeply, why haven't they kept R. Premadasa ICS, the home of cricket in Sri Lanka, not ready for the season. Even the wickets at other venues are not up to standard and if the players are to get exposed to better conditions, why haven't a curator looked into the current standards of the names venues yet.

Compared to other countries, Sri Lanka has not timed well on its domestic tournaments, with a packed international calendar for 2022. Moreover there are other areas that are yet to be revealed about the NSL, such as, will the games be shown live on television, who is the sponsor, how are the teams preparing, who will officiate the games and above all, where is the much needed hype for a competition that is supposed to be only second best to an international game.

SPORTS

en-lk

2022-01-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/282144999724399

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