by Rex Clementine

The first round of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Major League Tournament came to a close last week, with Bloomfield and NCC emerging as the table-toppers in their respective groups. The two Colombo-based powerhouses are now set to lock horns in the grand finale, which begins tomorrow (March 5) at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The four-day First Class match promises to be a high-stakes battle for domestic supremacy.

However, the real headline of the tournament wasn’t the two finalists but the stunning relegation of SSC – Sri Lanka’s most storied cricket club. For the first time in its illustrious history, the club will be without First-Class status for at least two years, a fall from grace that has sent shockwaves through the country’s cricketing circles.

Alongside SSC, Ragama Cricket Club, Negombo Cricket Club, and Kandy Customs have also been shown the exit door, having finished in the bottom half of the table. But SSC’s relegation, in particular, is akin to a giant being felled – an unthinkable scenario for a club that has long been the nursery of Sri Lankan cricketing greats.

SSC might feel hard done by, as fate seemed to conspire against them this season. The weather gods were unkind, washing out crucial games they could have won. Injuries, too, played a major role in their downfall, with key bowlers like Nisala Tharaka, Kasun Rajitha, and Pramod Madushan spending more time on the treatment table than on the field.

But some insiders believe the club was also a victim of its own star power. With many of their marquee players tied up with national duties, SSC often found itself fielding understrength sides. To make matters worse, several senior players prioritized franchise cricket, leaving the club in the lurch at critical moments. Although they returned midway through the league, the damage had already been done, and SSC found itself staring down the barrel.

While some clubs in the past have resorted to backdoor moves and legal loopholes to avoid the drop, SSC’s management deserves credit for taking relegation on the chin. They didn’t plead for special treatment or try to move the goalposts in their favour.

Not too long ago, a prominent club was saved from relegation through some questionable maneuvering, and others have even sought legal recourse to cling to First-Class status despite tournament rules being crystal clear. But SSC, true to its stature, accepted its fate with dignity, setting an example for others to follow.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been on a mission to streamline domestic cricket, reducing the number of First-Class teams to improve the quality of competition. Not too long ago, the tournament had a bloated 26-team structure. But with the numbers being trimmed – down to 14 teams next season and 12 the year after – SSC now finds itself in the unenviable position of having to claw its way back into the top division.

Despite the setback, SSC is already plotting its comeback. The club’s Cricket Committee Chairman, Samantha Dodanwala, made it clear that they aren’t looking for excuses – just a way back.

“At the end of the day, we have to take responsibility rather than offering excuses. Now we are duty-bound to fight our way back into the top division. The good thing is that all the players have agreed to stay on and help us reclaim our rightful place,” Dodanwala told ‘The Island‘.