Official scorers a must

PRIYAN DE SILVA - Matara Sports Correspondent

The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) has decided that schools playing in division one and two of the under nineteen cricket tournament should obtain the services of an official scorers from Sri Lanka Scorers (SLS).

This decision has been taken because it has been found that there have been many instances where favored players are credited with wickets, catches and runs taken by others.

This happens when reserve players are appointed as scorers and is done to boost the performance and image of players unfairly.

Thus misleading selectors and staking claims to all island cricket awards. This disclosure was made recently at a seminar held at the SLC headquarters by J A K S Indrajith the under 19 tournament secretary of the SLSCA.

Sri Lanka Cricket who has stepped in to take control of the game at school level has insisted that an official scorer be assigned by the Sri Lanka Scorers. The two schools will share the 3000 rupees fee for a two day game.

“On foreseeing this need Sri Lanka Scorers who are the official scorers for Sri Lanka Cricket conducted an examination to recruit new blood early last year.

Candidates who got more than 75% in the written and practical examinations will be assigned for the schools matches. Nevertheless we will be giving preference to senior scorers” said Anural Rathnayaka President of SLS.

“The services of qualified scorers should be obtained for the under 13, 15 17 and division III of the under 19 tournaments too. At present the score sheets submitted by most schools are incomplete and incorrect and it is not possible to maintain a proper record of a youngsters achievements based on these” he added.