As we head into the new year, the exciting Singer Schools’ Cricket Tournament 2017/18 will recommence after the G.C.E O/L examinations and December holidays.

Most of the teams were unable to play their quota of third term matches due to the relentless rain in October and November. However, some excellent performances, individual and all-round were dished out in the games that were played.

With the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup scheduled to be played in New Zealand in January/February 2018, some leading players will not be in action for their respective schools yet the competitiveness will be at a higher level as all 36 division I schools in 4 groups are preparing for a grueling few months of schools’ cricket.

16 teams, four from each group will qualify for the pre-quarter-final stage in the two-day tournament and those schools will also be eligible for the limited-overs tournament which will be played at the end of the league tournament.

The teams to watch out for

Richmond College – The runner-up from last season’s two-day tournament, the Richmondites are currently leading the points table from group C. They have played six matches in the third term, including their traditional encounters, winning three games outright against Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya, Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda and St. Servatius’ College, Matara.

The two Mendis brothers, Kamindu and Sandun have been performing exceptionally well for the lads from Galle. Kamindu, Sri Lanka’s U19 captain has amassed over 400 runs with 3 centuries. He will be missed in January due to national duties but his younger brother, Sandun has taken over 35 wickets thus far and will look to continue his form.

S. Thomas’ College – The Dellon Peiris led S. Thomas’ College have played 7 matches throughout their third term, registering outright wins against Maliyadeva College, Zahira College, Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya and Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa.

Skipper Peiris became the first bowler in the season to capture a hat-trick and has captured close to 50 wickets so far. Left-arm seamer Kalana Perera has been in devastating form for the Thomians but the tall lanky fast bowler will be on national duty from January and will surely be missed.

St. Joseph’s College – The boys from Darley Road have the distinction of playing the most number of tournament matches, 6 games in the third term. Including their traditional fixtures, they have won outright matches against St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, De Mazenod College, Kandana, Zahira College and Maliyadeva College.

Competing in group D, the biggest hurdle for the Josephians will be their tournament matches against Ananda College and S. Thomas’ College which will be two interesting fixtures. Sri Lanka U19 discard, Revan Kelly has smashed close to 600 runs in the third term with two tons while their spin twins, 14-year old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage and off-spinner Ashain Daniel have taken close to 80 wickets.

St. Aloysius’ College – The dark horses in the school’s cricket circuit, St. Aloysius’ College, Galle have played 8 matches including 5 tournament games of which two were washed out. They completely annihilated Isipathana College, Zahira College, President’s College, Kotte and Bandaranayake College, Gampaha.

The Aloysians are playing in group B and the other teams in their group have not yet played many matches hence the first term in 2018 will be very interesting to watch. Two of their players will be doing national duty, one of them – Hareen Buddhila, is currently the highest wicket taker with 55 wickets while Ravindu Sanjana who is on the standby list has scored close to 500 runs.

Thurstan College – Led by fast bowler Nipun Lakshan, Thurstan College are the front runners to lead group A as they have played five matches including a couple of traditional games. They recorded outright wins against St. Thomas’ College, Matara and Bandaranayake College, Gampaha.

Teams like Ananda College, Trinity College, St, Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, Mahanama College and Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa have not hit their straps yet even though they possess formidable sides but as the season enters the business end, these teams will be definite forces to reckon with and challenge for the title.

The poor performers

Zahira College, Maradana has been on the receiving end more than four to five times this season as their inexperienced outfit have performed poorly, losing heavily at home and away. If they are to survive in the top division, they will need an improved performance in the first term.

Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, captained by Hachitha Thimal has lost at least five games outright this season and will need something special in the first term to keep their place in the division one.

Two teams, who finish at the bottom of the entire points table are set to be relegated at the end of the two-day tournament. Teams such as St. John’s College, Panadura, St. Thomas College, Matara, Dharmaraja College, Kandy and Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala have all had forgettable starts to their 2017/18 season but will look to change their fortunes in the new year.