NCC Cricket Academy unbeaten Under-12 champions

Nondescript CC Cricket Academy from Maitland Place, Colombo became the undisputed Under- 12 winners of the 3rd annual Junior Cricket Tournament organised and conducted by CCC School of Cricket.

After leading their group laving beaten seven teams, NCC Next beat Sanath Jayasooriya Cricket Foundation team in the semi- finals. From the other group Kingfishers CA, Homagama who were runners- up to CCC School of Cricket ‘Maroons’, came into the finals upsetting CCC Maroons, the winners of last two years.

In a one-sided, low scoring final held at Ananda Sastralaya Ground in Kotte, NCC beat Kingfishers by 5 wickets to win the championship.

Special Award: Thimath Herath (SSC Blue - for taking 5 wickets in 5 consecutive balls, and scoring 101 not out)

Best Fielder: Gimantha Dissanayake (NCC - 10 dismissals)

Best Bowler: Kithma Sithmal (Sanath Jayasuriya CF - 15 wickets with the best of 4/36 vs SSC Blue)

Best Batsman: Chamika Heenatigala (NCC -

Batting first Kingfishers CA were bowled out for a meagre 84 now in 24 overs, with Demion de Silva grabbing four wickets for 12 runs. In the run chase, NCC scored 88 for the loss of five wickets in only 19.5 overs, with opener Chamath Perera top scoring, 25 runs.

In the Loser’s final, Sanath

534 runs with an average of 106.8)

Player of the Final: Demion de Silva (NCC - 4 wickets for 13 runs)

Player of the Tournament: Savindu Silva (SSC Blue - 408 runs and 11 wickets for 51 runs) 3rd Place winner: Sanath Jayasuriya Cricket Foundation

Runner-up: Kingfisher Cricket Academy Winner: Nondescript CC Cricket Academy

Jayasooriya CF beat CCC School of Cricket ‘Maroons’ to win the third place.

A total of 18 teams from Colombo and suburbs took part in the tournament, where a very high standard of cricket was displayed. Two Sri Lankan cricketers, Madhuri Samuddhika, who represented the Sri Lankan Women’s team, and young Sadeera Samarawickrema, the Sri Lanka’s Test and ODI cricketer, graced the awards presentation ceremony as special guests, which followed the finals. Incidentally both cricketers were product of the CCC School of Cricket, the organisers of the Tournament.

In their speeches both paid tribute to their mentor Nelson Mendis for the services rendered to them and to many young cricketers at CCC both advised the young players to maintain in their carriers as cricketers if they want to achieve success. Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made an inspiring speech stressed the importance of being positive in attitude, and also to work hard to achieve the set goals, facing failure only as challenges.

Nelson Mendis, the Director of CCC School of Cricket also addressed the gathering.

Kingfisher Cricket Academy, emerged runners-up of the tournament, after a good run in the tournament, before being shot out cheaply in the final agains NCC

NCC Cricket Academy – winners of the 3rd annual Under-12 Cricket Tournament, organised by the CCC School of Cricket, with their trophy

Kithma Sithmal of Sanath Jayasuriya CF receiving the Best Bowler's award from Madhuri Samuddhika while Nelson Mendis, the Director CCC School of Cricket looks on

Savindu Silva of SSC BLUE, the Player of the Tournament, receiving the trophy and certificate from Sadeera Samarawickrama, the special guest

Gimantha Dissanayake of NCC Cricket Academy receiving the Best Fielder's award from Madhuri Samuddhika

Chamila Heenatigala of NCC, the receives the Best Batsman's award from Madhuri Samuddhika, the special guest