Lanka Cavaliers at Kegalle (8 Jul 1998)

8 July 1998

Lanka Cavaliers at Kegalle

The Daily News

Lanka Cavaliers led by Sri Lanka's first Test Captain Bandula Warnapura travelled to Kegalle to conduct their ninth outstation cricket program last weekend at the invitation of Kegalle District Cricket Association headed by Neville Seneviratne.

On Saturday June 27 a coaching clinic was held for the students in the area where over 125 boys participated. The clinic was held in two parts and consisted of lectures delivered by Bandula Warnapura and Jayantha Seneviratne before the lunch break and a practice session in the afternoon. Students from several schools which have started cricket recently participated and many players having good potential were spotted which augurs well for the coaches in the area, said Warnapura. However what is required is better facilities for the development of the game in the area, he said.

On Sunday June 28, a 30-over match was played between Cavaliers and a DCA Invitation XI team. Prior to the commencement of the game the chief guest Mr. Mahipala Herath, Kegalle District Member of Parliament addressed the gathering and hoisted the National Flag while the Kegalle DCA flag and Lanka Cavaliers flag were hoisted by their respective Presidents Neville Seneviratne and Lakith Peiris. Thereafter both teams were introduced to the chief guest.

Batting first Kegalle DCA XI scored a formidable 170 for 9 wickets in their 30 overs. Opener Roshan de Silva scored an impressive 79 retired while also Pubudu Keppetiyagolla scored a fluent 31. For Cavaliers Kirthi Gunaratne and Zareen Hameed took three wickets each while Jerry Woutersz and Daya Sirisena took one wicket each.

Heavy rain during the break prevented any further play and the match was called off. At the conclusion of the program Lanka Cavaliers presented cricket equipment to the Kegalle DCA to be used in their efforts to develop the game in the area. The arrangements for the program was handled in an efficient manner by the Kegalle DCA while Cavaliers Committee Member C. P. P. Raj was the co-ordinator for this program.

Lanka Cavaliers launched their outstation cricket programme in August 1997 in Anuradhapura followed by the districts of Moneragala (Buttala), Matale, Badulla, Ratnapura, Gampaha (Kandana), Hambantota (Tissamaharama), Kurunegala and Kegalle.

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