Kandy Youth CC Champions at KDCA tourney
Kandy Youth Cricket Club recorded a 104 runs victory against Rathiyanz Cricket Club to become champions in the Kandy District Cricket Association(KDCA) limited over tournament where 32 teams were seen in action and nearly 70 matches were played. A big hand should go to the KDCA for organizing this tournament.
Kandy Youth Cricket Club who are under the guidance of expert cricket promoter Malcolm Perera won the toss in this final and elected to bat first and were bowled out for 141 runs in 39.3 over’s, with Dhananjaya Maduranga 35 and Chatura Kumarasiri 32 were the top scores. H.M. Bandara and G.A. Senavirathne were the stars with the ball, taking three wickets each. Considering the talent in the Rathiyanz Cricket Club ranks, the total looked fairly possible, however, fine bowling from Kandy Youth Cricket Club attack helped skittle the opponents for just 37 runs in 12.6 over’s. Harshana Wickramasinghe and Uthpala Jayalath were the stars with the ball, taking 6 for 14 and 3 for 13.
The final was played under the patronage of former St.Sylvester’s College and Kandy Youth cricketer Janaka Pathirana who is the present Executive Committee member of Sri Lanka Cricket and Secretary of the Central Province Cricket Association and Kandy District Cricket Association who gives a big hand for cricket. Thanks to him today cricket is alive in Kandy at club level. The guest of honor was the famous St. Sylvester’s College and Kandy cricketer Roland Perera who is the president of the Kandy District Cricket Association. The champion Kandy Youth CC squad was made out of players like Chatura Kumarasiri – Captain, Ganidu Kamburugamuwa, Sawmya P. Piyasena , Hashika Gamage, Harshnana Wickremasinghe, Kasun D. Maduranga, Uthpala Jayalath, Devinda Dissanayake, Dinidiya Polkotuwa, Hasintha Polkotuwa, Deegayu Bandara, Duleen Wijenarayana, A. Senaviratna , Ashen Kavinda
Brief scores:
Kandy Youth Cricket Club 141 all out in 39.3 over’s, Dhananjaya Maduranga 35, Chatura Kumarasiri 32, H.M. Bandara 3 for 9 and G.A. Senavirathne 3 for 28
Old Rathiyanz Cricket Club 37 all out in 12.6 over’s K.L.B. Rathnayake 11 not out, Harshana Wickramasinghe 6 for 14 and Uthpala Jayalath 3 for 13
Kandy Youth Cricket Club authorities planning to bring back the game of cricket to its former position. These clubs at one time were one of the leading cricket playing clubs in Kandy District, if not Central Province, and are keen to bring back the game to where it was. This club was founded by Malcolm Perera with the objective of giving the cricketers in the Kandy an opportunity to playing top grade cricket, the people who helped Malcolm Perera form the club were , the inaugural committee members like H.B. Uduwella the first president, and Vice Presidents were Mervyn Rodrigo, Hafiz Marikar and Dr. R. Mahendran, with Malcolm Perera taking the secretaries post, and his assistant was Ronald Perera , with Anura Ratanasinghe as Treasurer, Harold Ranasinge was the Ground Secretary. The committee had people like J.D. Shaw Wilson, Janaka Pathirana, Namal Heettiarchchi, Anura Keerthiratne and Michael Johnson.
That time Senior Superintendent of Police late Bodhi Liyanage was brought into those club by Hafiz Marikar and he gave his best for the game of cricket and this club in 1987 became the champions in the Division III tournament and in the following year played in the Division II and earned a promotion to the Division I to play in the Sara trophy tournament.
Schools back at cricket training in Kandy
All Kandy cricket playing schools Trinity, St. Anthony’s, Dharmaraja, Kingswood, St. Sylvester’s Vidyartha, Sri Rahula, Wariyapola Sri Sumanagala, Nugawella Central, are back in cricket training. The big matches are coming back. When it comes to fair play, cricket is special. Using the spirit of cricket fair play, teaches young people to respect their team mates, opponents and the umpire. Cricket provides for those with disabilities, offering specially adapted games for those with physical and mental conditions. Cricket insists on high standards of conduct and provides positive role models. Pupils respond well to the structure and laws of the game.