Kandy CC win Melbourne 'A' grade cricket title (28 February 1999)

28 February 1999

Kandy CC win Melbourne 'A' grade cricket title

Clifford Landers reporting from Melbourne

MELBOURNE Feb. 27- KANDY CC won their debut 'A' grade title after registering a convincing four wicket victory over a strong and confident Colombo CC side in the final of the YCW Association Cricket Tournament before a large crowd at the Columbia Reserve, Mulgrave here last Sunday.

This final was a historic one since this was the first instance clubs named after two towns in Sri Lanka had clashed in a 'A' grade final since the inception of the competition 58 years ago in 1941.

Kandy CC after competing in the 'B' grade for five years was promoted this season after finishing runners up last season and had never played in a grand final in the 'A' grade before.

Colombo CC played in six consecutive grand finals and won three. Their last was in 1996/97 season.

A carnival atmosphere prevailed at the final as YCW Association president Frank Ekanayake who is the only Sri Lankan to hold this post since 1941 also attended. This is the fifth year in succession that Frank Ekanayake, an old boy of St. John's Nugegoda has held this position after being unanimously elected.

As for the final, Colombo CC took first lease of the wicket and struggled to just 150 for 9 off their allotted 50 overs with former Benedictine and NCC wicket-keeper batsman Carmen Mapatuna (38), Anuk Samarakkody (24) and K.P. Singh (18) doing the bulk of the scoring, while for the Kandyans Mahesan Perera with 3 for 32 T.L. Fernando (2 for 39), Brendan Smith (2 for 25), C. Anelszak (2 for 36) sharing the wickets.

Kandy batsmen made a good start despite losing wickets midway and achieved their target of 151 for 6 in the 38th over with Craig O'Brien (35), Chamara Dunusinghe (16), Mahesan Perera (15), Neville Liyanage (15) and the important pair of skipper Janitha Silva (18 not out) and Sean Nugara (16 not out) saw them through. Gamini Perera with 3 for 33 was the best bowler for Colombo CC.

Colombo CC 50 for 9 in 50 overs. (K.P. Singh 18, T. Boothman 13, Gamini Perera 13, Ranga de Silva 12, Cory Booth 11, Carmen Mapatuna 38, Anuk Samarakkody 24 not out, T.L. Fernando 2 for 39, Brendan Smith 2 for 25, C. anelszak 2 for 38 and Mahesan Perera (3 for 32).

Kandy CC 151 for 6 in 38 overs (Mahesan Perera 15, Neville Liyanage 15, Craig O'Brien 35, Chamara Dunusinghe 16, Janitha Silva 18 not out Sean Nugara 16 not out, Gamini Perera 3 for 33).

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)