Sri Lanka’s First-Class cricket has long cried out for reform, and finally, some bold strokes are being played. The playing field has been trimmed down in recent seasons – deadwood cleared to raise the stakes. But the googly of the season was the axing of SSC, the grand old club with a trophy cabinet full of stars. It raised eyebrows, but the message from the top was loud and clear – no room for reputation alone. The long-term plan? Slim the domestic First-Class circuit to a lean, mean ten-team league. That’s a shot well worth taking.

Towering above the club scene is the National Super League (NSL), now firmly established as the litmus test for national selection. This year’s edition went down to the wire, with Galle emerging champions on a first-innings lead over Dambulla in a rain-hit final at SSC – a draw on the scorecard, but a win on the balance sheet.

One man who set the NSL ablaze was Ravindu Rasantha de Silva. The former Sri Lanka U-19 and S. Thomas’ College opener piled on the runs like a man on a mission – 563 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 93, with three centuries and a mammoth 206 not out, the tournament’s highest score. He didn’t just knock on the selectors’ door – he’s banging it down.

Another comeback kid was Pathum Nissanka, who had been on a bit of a lean patch in both Test and First Class cricket. But he cashed in with a double ton that may have just saved his Test spot ahead of the Bangladesh series.

Oshada Fernando and Avishka Fernando, old boys of St. Sebastian’s College, also came to the party, finding form at just the right time. The two Fernandos were among the few batters who batted with intent and purpose – a welcome sign with a new Test cycle on the horizon.

But if there was one player who bowled his heart out, it was Akila Dananjaya. The off-spinner spun a web around batsmen, grabbing 37 wickets – a staggering stat considering the next best tally was a mere 15. Akila’s showing could tempt selectors into throwing him a red-ball lifeline, but caution must be the watchword. His history with suspect actions is no secret. Unless his remodelled action is rock solid, the call-up could backfire.

One of the most heartening takeaways from this year’s NSL was seeing players traditionally pigeonholed as white-ball specialists embracing the grind of the longer format. Charith Asalanka skippered Colombo and anchored the innings when it mattered, while Dunith Wellalage was the real revelation – batting like a top-six player and bowling with the guile of a veteran. With a batting average of 39 and bowling average of 19, the all-rounder ticked every box. He may not earn a Test cap just yet, but he’s definitely warming up in the nets for future call-ups.

The story doesn’t end at home. Several NSL stars carried their form overseas, donning Sri Lanka ‘A’ colours in the UAE and delivering the goods. Against Afghanistan ‘A’, the likes of Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha struck hundreds in the first innings, while Nuwanindu Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Pavan Ratnayake joined the party with second-innings tons.

On the bowling front, Isitha Wijesundara stole the spotlight with a ten-wicket match bag – a performance worthy of a standing ovation.

With Dimuth Karunaratne’s retirement and four consecutive Test defeats hanging over the national team like a dark cloud, there’s no time for sentiment. The selectors need to pad up and make bold calls. The new World Test Championship cycle kicks off in June, and if ever there was a time to blood fresh talent, it’s now.

by Rex Clementine