Sri Lanka Sara Trophy: Colombo Cricket Club Dumped (23 Dec 1996)

23 December 1996

Sara Trophy: CB Ex Co decides to dump CCC

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

Sara trophy champions Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) have been suspended from participating in the current Sara tournament.

This shock decision was taken at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board`s Executive Committee meeting held on Friday.

CCC`s suspension comes in with immediate effect and the points scored for and against them will be withdrawn.

CCC are currently lying third from the bottom of the Sara trophy table after two matches, with one outright loss to NCC and a nodecision against Bloomfield.

CCC failed to comply with the tournament committee rules and regulations by not playing their opening Sara trophy match of the season as scheduled, against SSC at Maitland Crescent from November 29-December 1, due to poor ground conditions.

CCC have been suspended under the Cricket Board`s Division I and II tournaments rules and regulations Part `B`, Clause 11.3 `The Pitch` which states: "In the event of umpires - calling off the match either before or after the commencement of a match, other than for ground - weather - light conditions (Section 8), security reasons and/or in a national crisis, which includes providing a pitch not-fit/dangerous for play (under-prepared pitch) OR refusing to play at any stage of the match, the umpires shall follow Regulations [(8.14) and (13.5)(b) of Part - A]. The tournament committee acting as per [Regulation (14) of Part - A], shall recommend immediate suspension of the hosting club/DCA from the tournament and further severe punishments``.

The ExCo has however decided that due to the negligence of the club officials, the cricketers of the club should not be penalised. Thus, the cricketers will be eligible to play for any other division I club of their choice during the current Sara trophy season, after obtaining written permission from the tournament committee.

One of the oldest cricket clubs in the country, the CCC will not have their fund of Rs. 79,800 paid by the Cricket Board (in the absence of any sponsors) to each of the Segment `A` and `B` clubs, allocated to them.

According to Cricket Board sources, the matter will also be referred to the disciplinary committee for action against the concerned officials of the club under Law 30 on `Misconduct`.

CCC seemed to have escaped suspension when the tournament committee earlier considered replaying the match with all expenses to be borne by the offending club. However, on the strong evidence available from umpires and captain`s reports and from the officials of the respective clubs, it was decided to suspend the club.

The ExCo of the Cricket Board also suspended Old Mazenodians from further participation from the division II tournament.

Mazenodians we understand, have failed to turn up for their match against Colts with their full complement of players and the match was therefore, not played.

Subsequently, all points scored for and against the Mazenodians will be withdrawn. The club became division III champs last year and were promoted to play in division II this season.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)