Malitha Bimsara steers MCA CA to huge first innings win over NCC CA
Malith Bimsara from De Lasalle College, Mutwal hit an elegant century and a half, as he steered MCA Cricket Academy, to a huge first innings win over NCC Cricket Academy in the inaugural U-13 ‘Battle of the Centurions’ cricket encounter at the MCA Grounds last week.
The NCC was founded in 1888 and MCA in 1911.
Bimsara scored 151 runs, facing 116 balls in 167 minutes of batting, which included two sixes and 26 fours and was involved in a 120 runs partnership in 121 balls for the 6th wicket with Ometh de Silva (27) from Lyseum International, Nugegoda.
Bimsara, the promising all rounder, amply deserved the player of the match award, as he held on two superb catches and bagged 2 for 4 in 1.4 overs in the 1st innings and 2 for 6 in 20 overs in the 2nd innings.
The match was played according to the current schools format of 90 overs; the side batting first being given 65 overs.
NCC who won the toss and elected to bat, shot out for 60 runs in 16.4 overs; opening batsman, Savinda Senerath Arachchi (22) was the only batsman to reach double figures; MCA left arm fast bowler, Hirusha Wijesena from Royal College was most impressive finishing with 8–0-27-4.
MCA in reply declared at 246 for 8 in 46.2 overs, as soon as Malith Bimsara was out for 151.
In the 2nd innings NCC was staggering at 38 for 6 in 21 overs when bad light halted play with three overs remaining.
The historic encounter was hosted by the MCA Cricket Development Committee.
The Chief Guest at the awards was former President and the present Chairman of the Cricket Committee /NCC Lesley Hewage and the Guest of Honour was the NCC Cricket Academy, Head Coach Dilip Somaratne; the others to give away the awards were MCA, President, Niran Mahawatte and Chairman /Cricket Development Committee /MCA Mahesh de Alwis.
(Savindu Senerath Arachchi 22, Hirusha Wijesena 4/27, Lahiru Amarasekera 2/5, Malith Bimsara 2/4)
(Thineth Amarasinghe 2/6, Chamod Mantillake 2/18, Malith Bimsara 2/6)
(Ashan Boruppa 21, Malith Bimsara 151, Ometh de Silva 27, Minada Katugampola 2/34, Shan Junaideen 2/64)