Sri Lanka Army Sports Club, coached by former Sri Lanka cricketer Ajantha Mendis, are just one step away from gaining promotion to play in the Major Club tournaments.
Since their relegation to Tier B for the 2024 season, Army SC have in 2026 dominated the division, winning both the 50-Over as well as the T20 finals to place themselves in a strong position to gain promotion to Major Club in 2027. They went through both tournaments unbeaten, winning all five group matches, the semi-finals, and final in the 50-Over, and followed it up with four wins (one no-result) in the group stage and victories in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the T20.
In the 50-Over final, Army SC beat Galle CC by 23 runs, and in the T20 final played on Saturday, they beat Leo CC by six wickets to complete a fine double.
According to the new points system adapted for domestic cricket, a club’s performance and final placing is determined on the total weightage of points garnered from the three tournaments – 50-over, T20, and 3-day.
Having won the 50-over and T20 with an unbeaten record, Army SC are well in front of their rivals and, according to coach Mendis, they are on top with five points in their bag.
‘If we finish three or four in the 3-Day League, it will be difficult for the other clubs to catch up,’ Mendis told the Daily FT. The 3-Day League is expected to commence in November.
Speaking of Army SC’s success, Mendis, who is coaching a team for the first time, said: ‘It was an all- round performance. Although there were no outstanding individual contributions, it was more of a team effort. We made changes to suit the opposition and the wickets we played. We had about 18 players and managed them in such a way that they were always fresh when they entered a match.’
‘There were instances where we had rested players like Asela Gunaratne and Thisara Perera (two former Sri Lankan cricketers) and won matches. Every player was prepared to perform at any given time. In the T20 final, we kept Asela out but the others delivered. The experience that players like Asela and Thisara brought to the team was invaluable. Success was achieved because everyone in the team wanted to accomplish something. The challenge was to always play positive cricket. Every player took the responsibility and performed 100%. That was our success,’ he added.
Mendis said that when the season began, their goal was to win all three Tier B formats.
‘As we went along, the team improved its performances. We always planned match by match but while the tournaments continued, we concentrated on the points system because they are given on the basis of percentage wise,’ he said.
Describing his role as head coach, Mendis, who is an ICC-qualified Level 3 coach, said: ‘I looked after the player management. Individually, each player was given plans. Previously, players batted only for 20 or 30 minutes at the nets. We changed it completely so that a batsman batted at least a total of 10 hours for a week. For a day he bats for around 1½ to 2 hours.’
‘Since I joined the Army, I know what their culture is and the requirements of the players. If you manage the players properly, it can lead to success. It is a job which requires a lot of patience,’ he added.
Mendis said that the team got a huge back up from the Army Commander downwards. ‘They had a huge involvement in our success. The Commander even came to witness the final which was a tremendous boost to the team,’ he said.
As winners, Army SC picked up a cheque for Rs. 750,000, while runner-up Leo CC received Rs. 500,000. Army SC’s Captain Shehada Zoysa took the Player of the Final award of Rs. 100,000. Other individual awards were won by Yashoda Mendis of Kandy Customs SC for Best Batsman (Rs. 200,000), Ishan Abeysekera of Navy SC for Best Bowler (Rs. 200,000), and Kavinda Ishwara of Ragama CC for Most Valuable Player (Rs. 300,000). The awards were presented by match referee Roshan Jaymon.