by Dhammika Ratnaweera
The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) has introduced a new points system for ongoing Elephant Lemonade Cup Schools Premier Cricket Tournament, said Secretary of the SLSCA B. S. Perera. For the first time in Sri Lanka schools cricket history the SLSCA has been instructed by the Cricket Board Under 19 Coach Owen Mottau to award points to the team which leads on the first innings.

According to the SLSCA Secretary 5 points will be given for a first innings lead. A total of 15 points will be awarded for an outright victory. An outright tie will earn 7.5 points each and a first innings tie will receive 2.5 points. Three points each will be given in a no decision game. The reason for first innings points is to enable the batsmen to play a long innings without any emphasis on the outcome of the game.

Ceylon Cold Stores has come forward to sponsors the tourney for the fourth concecutive year. Meanwhile ten new schools have been included in Group ‘C’. They are D. S. Senanayake M.V., Uhumeeya, Kurunegala, Dudley Senanayake M.V. Tholangamuwa, Embilipitiya National School, Gamini M.V. Bentota, Karandeniya Central, Mahanama M.V. Panadura, Neluwa National School Galle, Royal College Horana, Sri Chandrajothi M.V. Yakkala and Yatagala M.V. Uragasmanhandiya.

The deadline to complete the league championship matches is February 28, 2002.