Wycherley wins inaugural T20 match
The first ever Twenty 20 Cricket Encounter between Wycherley International School and Colombo International School took place at the Thurstan College Grounds on March 27.
T20 is a new style of the game which has caught the cricketing world by storm. It has brought to the grounds a brand new audience in the younger generation, as it has a lot of action and speed.
WIS was indeed exuberant to be the ground breaker of such an event and it is going to be an annual feature on the Cricketing Calendar of both Schools. WIS having emerged victorious at the 17th Annual Big Match against CIS on March 25, 2012 had a feather in its cap when the WIS Cricket Team walked into the field for the T20 Cricket encounter.
The occasion had a very simple opening ceremony quite in keeping with the concept of simplicity at Wycherley. The little children of the Primary Section, who need to be imbibed into this tradition, were the ones who led the opening ceremony. They walked in groups of three carrying the National Flag, The School Flags of WIS and that of CIS. When they walked in solemnly the teams of both schools walked in and took their positions behind their respective school flags. As it is traditional at a T20 Encounter, the two umpires brought in the ANC Education T20 Challenge Trophy, placed it on the prize table and took their positions behind the National Flag. As the strains of the school songs of both WIS and CIS were aired on the public address system, the Principal of WIS Mr. Kingsley Jayasinghe and the Principal of CIS Mr. Michael Chapell hoisted the flags of their respective Institutions. Mr. Kingsley Jayasinghe then declared the T20 Match open for play.
There was enthusiasm from the word go as it was of immense value to both sides to contest at a T20 Encounter. The Principal of WIS Mr. Kingsley Jayasinghe and the Principal of CIS Mr. Michael Chapell, who are both great cricket enthusiasts, were there from the time of the commencement of the ceremonial opening, right up to the end of play. Both teams displayed visible signs of fellowship and unity, despite contesting for a WIN and the prestige of carrying away the match winning trophy. The results of the match were much awaited. Himasha Perera of CIS was picked as the best bowler, cap- turing 3 wickets for 29 runs. Taalib Hanif was adjudged as the Best Fielder from WIS. Anuruddha Higgoda the Captain of the WIS Team carried away the Best Batsman’s Award for a score of 37 runs along with the Award for THE MAN OF THE MATCH. The ANC Education T20 Cricket Challenge Trophy was carried away with pride by WIS. It was indeed a great moment for Wycherley who had organized the 1st T20 Encounter.
Sportsmanship is one of the aspects that help build up the facets of good calibre gentlemen. We need to send out into the fabric of society, men who will be worth their grit, to become leaders in a challenging world. Cricket is a window that opens this out and WIS and CIS will always endeavour to help to grow these cherished ideals among her charges.