SLPL sans Gayle, like a carnival without lights

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

Dashing West Indian left hander Chrys Gayle who the cricketing public were eagerly awaiting to see in action has been forced to pull out of the Sri Lanka Premier League with a groin injury. His absence will make the SLPL look like a carnival without lights. With his pulling out the gloss and the glamour of the league has been lost and it will now lack crowd puling cricketers in the tournament, considering that Marlon Samuels has also pulled out which tournament starts at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today.

The two games down for decision are – Nagenhira Nagas and Ruhunu Royals at 4 p.m. and Basnahira Cricket Dundee and Kandurata Warriors at 6.30 p.m.Gayle set alight the Indian Premier League with his bludgeoning of all bowlers and sent the full houses at every venue into raptures hitting sixes that had never been seen before in Indian cricket. He was expected to give this first-ever SLPL a big boost and attract crowds.

His injury was most unfortunate and would also have disappointed the sponsors and the organizers.

The other crowd pulling cricketer is Pakistani Sahid Afridi. But he has lost his old touch and is now just going through the motions.

He might oblige with an occasional big innings. But he cannot be expected to give it continuity.Before going on to comment further on the tournament, it must be mentioned that this tournament was the brainchild of former Interim Committee Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D.S. de Silva and his team.

When arrangements were made to announce the SLPL at a press conference at Lord’s during Sri Lanka’ cricket team’s tour there last year, apparently the unavailability of the cricketing Bollywood from India stalled the tournament. ‘DS’, now Deputy Ambassador in Poland must be delighted that the SLPL that he first mooted is finally getting off the ground. The SLPL will see 24 games being played from August 11 to 31. Seven teams will be in the fray and each team will be allowed to field four foreign players.

Nagas v Royals

The first game will see Angelo Mathews’ Nagas confronting Lasith Malinga’s Royals, which game is expected to be evenly contested. Mathews and Malinga performed creditably against the Indians and are expected to give continuity to that form. Mathews will miss Nuwan Kuleskera out with a groin strain. However Shamindra Eranaga can make amends. Good that ‘mystery bowler’ Ajantha Medis will be taking the field. He will be a bit rusty. But has the experience to come good.

One batsman if he plays who should be watched is right hand stylish batsman Angelo Perera. Perera had a good tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa and he has the talent to hit the big time, if persisted with. Of the foreigners, Imran Nazir and Mitchell Marsh will need watching. In the Royals team, Lasith Malinga will no doubt be a draw.

He will have the often neglected and ignored tantalsing leg spinner Malinga Bandara. Other locals likely to play are Prasanna Jayawardena, Chamara Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne and Ramit Rambukwella.Jerome Taylor, Nathan McCallum, Sahid Afridi and Ryan McLaren are expected to play and add the foreign flavour.

Dundees v Warriors

Dundees are strong in bowling compared with their batting. Tillekeratne Dilshan, Indika de Saram, Brad Hodge and Dimuth Karunaratne are expected to be in the runs.The bowling is quite strong with Dilshan having the luxury of calling on Nuwan Pradeep, Dirk Nannes, Dhammika Prasdad, Rangana Herath, Jeewan Mendis and Clint Mckay to get among the wickets.

Left hander Sanath Jayasuriya is expected to be among the runs with Jeevantha Kuletunge, Misbah Ul-Haq, Tharanga Paranavitarne, Thilan Sam- araweera and Malinda Warnapura. The bowling will be in the hands of Thisara Perera, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal and Chanaka Welegedera.