Ashen and Roscoe guide John Keells 'B' div title
Roscoe Thattil continued from where he left in the semi-finals guiding John Keells 'B' to the finals. This time he spearheaded them to a resounding seven wickets win over Kanrich Finanace 'B' in the final of the second Unilever-Fair and Lovely men Trophy- MCA ' B' Division 50 Over League Tournament 2019, conclude at the MCA Grounds last Sunday.
A hurricane 186 runs partnership in 166 balls for the fourth wicket between Ashen Silva and Roscoe Thattil propelled John Keells “B” to be the proud owners of the glittering trophy.
Roscoe Thattil (No. 5) joined Ashen Silva (No. 3) when John Keells were 31 for 3 in the eighth over and remained until the winning run was scored in the 42nd over.
Ashen Silva played the anchor role, 86 not out in 97 balls in inclusive of three sixes and six fours whilst Roscoe Thattil collard the bowling to finish with a memorable century – 103 not out in 120 balls, inclusive of a six and ten fours. Kanrich Finance skipper, Rajitha Assellarachchi used nine bowlers including himself in order to dislodge them.
Earlier, Kanrich Finance sent into bat put up a moderate 213 for 7 in 50 overs, thanks to the vallient innings by Navindu Nirmal (79 not out in 99 balls, inclusive of three sixes and six fours). Nirmal was associated in two partnerships. First was with Tharushan Iddamalgoda ( 43 in 59 balls with four fours) – 68 runs in 79 balls for the fourth wicket, secondly, an unbroken 50 runs stand in 33 balls for the eighth wicket with Chanara Devinda (15 not out)
Malinga Amarasinghe ( 10- 2- 48- 1), Sachintha Jayatillake (10-2-38-3) and Tharinda Ratnayake (10-3-29-1) were the pick of the bowlers for John Keells.
The Fair & Lovely Men, special award for the man of the match went to Roscoe Thattil, which was an easy pick for the MCA appointed Match Referee, Upali Warnapura.
The other special awards, based on performances up to the semi- finals went to Chandula Weeraratne from Kanrich Finance 'B' /best bowler (7 matches, 46.3 overs, 184 runs, 15 wickets), Madhawa Warnapura from HNB /best batsman (7 innings, 279 runs) and Raveen Sayer from Kanrich Finance ' B'/ Man of the Series ( 258 runs and 10 wickets)
At the post tournament awards presentation that followed the finals, the Unilever- Fair & Lovely Men trophies, medallions and gift packs were given away by the Chief Guest, Director Marketing, Unilever Personal Care, Nilushi Jayatilake, Guest of Honour, Senior Brand Manager, Unilever Face Care, Daminda Perera, along with the MCA Officials, Roshan Iddamalgoda, President, Mahesh de Alwis, General Secretary and Sujeewa de Silva, Chairman Tournament Committee. Chief Scores:
Kanrich Finance ' B'- 213/ 7 ( 50) ( Sashika Thivanka 29, Thanushan Iddamalgoda 43, Navidu Nirmal 79 not out, Sachintha Jayatillake 3/38)
JK 'B'-217/3 (41.5) (Ashen Silva 86 not out, Roscoe Thattil 103 not out)