CDB Champs with 2-wicket win over Kanrich Finance 'B'
In a lacklustre final, where bowlers dominated, Citizens Development Business (CDB) lifted the 'Elephant House Lemonade' Trophy, narrowly beating Kanrich Finance 'B' (Kanrich) by 2 wickets, in the 14th Ceylon Cold Stores PLC sponsored, MCA 'D' Division 40-Overs League Tournament 2017, concluded at the MCA grounds last Sunday.
Kanrich sent into bat, were shackled by the CDB’s varied attack of Shanil Perera (6.2-0-19-4), Aravinda Akuragoda (5-0-8-2) and Buddika de Silva (8-31-2) and were all out for a mere 113 runs in 31.2 overs. It could have been worse, if not for a gritty 4th-wicket stand of 65 runs in 73 balls between Oshada Fernando (39) and Madawa Fonseka (38).
Bowlers continued to dominate as CDB huffed and puffed to reach the required target of 114 runs, which they did in 26.5 overs, losing 8 wickets along the way. Kanrich bowlers, Shiral Senaratne (7-0-19 -5) and Udith Madushan (6.5-0-39-2) gave the CDB batsmen a torrid time to with their intelligent bowling. Opening batsman, Chathuranga Dikkumbura made a quickfire 33 runs in 36 balls, with 1 six and 4 fours, but the matchwinner for CDB was No.8 batsman, Dhanushka Dharmasiri, who remained unbeaten on 26 runs, in 28 balls with 1 six and 1 four.
Match Referee, Manoj Perera picked CDB bowler, Shanil Perera, as the Manof-the Match. The other 3 special awards went to CDB’s, opening batsman, Chathuranga Dikkumbura, who won 2 awards- Best Batsman and Man-of-theTournament- and the other by Aravinda Vithanarachchi of Expolanka Group was Best Bowler. Dickkumbura totalled 336 runs in 7 innings, inclusive of 2 centuries, while Vithanarachchi had a haul of 17 wickets for 156 runs.
At the presentation ceremony, Asst. VP- JKH & Head of Sales- CCS and MCA Executive Member, Wasanthalal Fernando (Chief Guest), Senior Brand Manager- Elephant House Beverages, Nadeena Fernando (Guest-of -Honour), MCA President, Niran Mahawatte, MCA General Secretary Nalin Wickremasinghe, and Chairman, MCA Tournament Committee, Sujeewa de Silva, gave away the awards.