MCA Cricket Academy players who excelled on England tour felicitated
The Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Cricket Academy, formed in 2002, embarked on its very first overseas tour, to participate in the International Council of Cricket Academies (ICCA) Global Academy Cricket Championships 2023 held in Nottingham, England, recently.
This was a historic occasion in which 24 teams from six countries, including Sri Lanka, in four age categories, namely Under-13, 15, 17 and 19 took part in the tournament said MCA President Nalin Wickramasinghe who was the. Chef de Mission
The Under-19 team was led by Adithya Pamoda Hettiarachchi from Ananda College and the Under-15 team was led by Abeeth Jevin Paranavidana from St. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia and both teams had good team spirit during this tour MCA Academy head coach Namal Seneviratne did not go on the tour but former Nalanda skipper and paceman Punyakantha Abeygunasekera who is in the MCA Exco committee did a superb job to cover up head coach Namal ‘ s duty .Namal recently left the Academy to go to Australia.
The MCA Vice President and Chairman Cricket Development and Academy , Sirosha Gunatillake hosted the two teams, their parents and Media to fellowship last Friday, at the MCA Legends Wing . the young cricketers who excelled in UK received special momento and awards while outgoing MCA head coach Namal Seneviratne received special plaque from the MCA President Nalin Wickramasinghe.
The four winners who received special plaques were Sasith Vihanga Ratnayake from St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena (Most Promising Player in the Under-15 category , performance four matches, 71 runs & 06 wickets ; best batting being 35 not out vs MLC Junior East, USA & best bowling being, 09 overs, 15 runs, 03 wickets Vs. Desert Cubs, UAE Vishan Enuka Gunasekera from Colombo International School (Best Batsman in the Under-15 category; Performance – 04 matches, 172 runs, best being 97 Vs. Zimbabwe); Dineth Vindul Jayakody from St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, (Best Bowler in the under-19 category; performance- 05 matches, 11 wickets, best bowling 07 overs, 39 runs, 05 wickets Vs. Desert Cubs, UAE) and Minev Nimdisa Paranawithana from Nalanda College (Most Promising Player in the Under-19 category ; 05 matches, 171 runs, best being 76 vs. Select Cricket Academy, UK)
MCA head coach Namal Senaviratne was the Assistant Coach to Sarath Perera ( who was the first MCA coach )from 2004 to 2009; then Namal was in England to play and coach League Cricket from 2009 to 2012 and on his return, he rejoined MCA Cricket Academy in the same year; he took over as Head Coach in 2013 where he remained up to date.
The recognition Certificates and the other awards were presented by MCA Officials, Nalin Wickramasinghe (President), Mahesh de Alwis (Senior VP), Sirosha Gunatillake (VP, and Chairman, Cricket Development Committee & Academy), P.K. Abeygunasekera (Secretary, MCA Cricket Development Committee & Academy), Anil Hapugoda (Secretary, MCA Sponsorship Committee &Member Tournament, Committee) and Wilmot Jayasinghe, ( MCA GeneralManager). MCA outgoing head coach Namal ‘ s wife Shashikala Siriwardena the former National women’s team skipper and present women’s under 19 head coach also graced this occasion.
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