Unichela wins against Sri Lanka Cricket U-20
By Tyrone Perera
A SUPERB all round performance by Sri Lanka Captain Malinda Warnapura, propelled Unichela to a comfortable 09-wickets win over Sri Lanka Cricket U-20 XI to annex the glittering MCA “Centenary” trophy in the Final of the MCA “Centenary Year” 2011, Invitational 20+20 super tournament which came to a close at the Colts grounds on Sunday.
On a slow turning wicket on his home grounds, Warnapura, bowled his quota of overs, bagging two for 18, held on to a superb catch in the deep and remained not out on 41 in 25 balls, including 3 sixes & 3 fours, which earned him the man-of-the –match adjudicated by his father, Upali Warnapura, who was the match Referee. HNB took the third place, beating ETI by five wickets, spear headed by a fine spell of bowling by Saman Jayantha (4-12-4).
Match Results / Finals
The play – off for third place (Match No. 15)
Colts /Morning: HNB beat ETI by five – wickets
ETI (won the toss) – 79 (18.2) (Gayan de Silva 20, Kosala Kulasekera 2/15, Ranil Dhammika 2/16, Saman JAyantha 4/12)
HNB – 82/5 (14.0) (Kosala Kulasekera 17, Mevarn Fernando 16, Charith Jayampathy 2/10)
The Final (Match No. 16)
Colts /afternoon: Unichela beat Sri Lanka Cricket Development Squad U – 20 XI by 09-wickets
SLC U-20 (sent into bat) 98 (19.0) (Shean Jayasuriya 16, Chathuranga Kumara 24, Malinda Warnapura 2/18, Malinga Bandara 4/12)
Unichela: 99/1 (11.1) (Malinda Warnapura 41 not out, Dilruwan Perera 38 not out)
Winner, Unichela led by Malin Silva received the glittering MCA “Centenary” trophy and a cash award of Rs. 300,000/-
Runners – up, SLC U-20 XI led by Ramith Rambukwella received the EH Kik-Cola/ Singer/ Samsung trophy and a cash award of Rs. 200,000/-.
Third place winner, HNB led by Chinthaka Jayasinghe received the D. Samson & Son (Pvt) Ltd., “Avi – Cricket” trophy and a cash award of Rs.100,000/-.
The man of the final, Malinda Warnapura received the MCA President’s trophy and a cash award of Rs. 40,000/-.
At an impressive closing ceremony the awards were presented by Chandima Perera, VP/Head of Beverage – CCS Elephant House, Kumar Samarasinghe – Sales Director – Singer Sri Lanka PLC., Shanker Narayan , Samsung India (Pvt) Ltd., – Sri Lanka Office, Sisira Padmadeva, Marketing Operations Manager – D. Samson & Sons (Pvt) Ltd., Mahesh Wijewardene, Centenary /President, Ashley Ratnayake Snr. Vice President and Chairman Sponsorship Committee and Wasanthalal Fernando, Chairman, Tournament Committee (all from MCA).
