Vidura Nawala represents Sri Lanka at 4th Int Schools Cricket Premier League in Lucknow
Vidura College Nawala had the honour of representing Sri Lanka at the 4th International Schools Cricket Premier League which was held in Lucknow, India from December 8 to 13. Vidura Nawala was among the 16 participating International Schools from eight nations which included eight teams from India, two from Nepal, one each from Oman, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Vidura was drawn in Pool ‘C’ alongside Happy High School - Patna, City Montessori School - Lucknow and Apex School - Nepal. Other teams were Smt. Sulochana Devi Singhania School - Mumbai, Indian School of Oman, St. Peter’s College - South Africa and St. Andrew’s Public School - Agra from Pool ‘A’, Prince Edward School - Zimbabwe, Aryan International School - Varanasi, DAV School - Kathmandu, Nepal and Aster Public School - Noida from Pool ‘B’, Afghan Yar High School - Afghanistan, Scholastica Senior School - Dhaka Bangladesh, SGVP International School - Ahmadabad and South Delhi Public School - New Delhi from Pool ‘D’.
Vidura Nawala won one of their three Pool matches but failed to qualify for the second round of the Twenty20 competition, which was held for the age group of Under-18s. The Sri Lankan lads beat Happy High School Patna by 8 wickets but lost to CMS Lucknow and Apex School Nepal, both games by 8 wickets.
In the match they won Vidura restricted Happy High School for 85-9 in 16 overs and raced to victory b scoring 88-2 in 11.3 overs. Left-arm spinner Anudha Thatsara, who claimed four wickets, was named the man of the match while opener Thenuka Liyanage hit an unbeaten 47 off 43 deliveries inclusive of seven fours and a six. Skipper Hemal Ratnayake clobbered 28 off 24 deliveries inclusive of four boundaries. In their next game against CMS Lucknow, Vidura elected to bat and put on 119-5 in 20 overs with skipper Ratnayale top scoring with 60 off 62 balls. He hit seven fours and a six. CMS Lucknow reached the winning target by scoring 122-2 in just 13.3 overs. In their third and final pool game Vidura succumbed unexpectedly as they were bowled out for 58 in just 13.5 overs and Apex School Nepal raced to victory, scoring 62-2 in just 10.2 overs.
Under the captaincy of Hemal Ratnayake, Vidura Nawala had A.D. Welagedara, Pabasara Wijesinghe, Piumal Fernando, Anuda Thathsara, Shakil Arifeen, Chandrabahu Liyanage, Akith Wijesundara, Kavisha Perera, Ranura Assal, Wageesha Kavinda, Anuga Karunatilake, Suvindu Perera, Ranuga Jayasooriya and Methin Thismalpola in the team. Team officials who travelled together are Millan Hettiarachchi (Coach), D.A.F. Wijewickrama (Asst. Coach), Kumar Rodrigo (Manager), Dilanjan Perera (Master-incharge) and Upali de Silva (Team Leader).
The tournament was organised and conducted by the City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, India for the fourth consecutive year. According to Upali de Silva, the Manager of Sports at Vidura, the school has been invited for future tournaments of all age categories and the school is taking the invitations optimistically to give exposure to the youngsters.