Colombo Masters Cricket Association which fielded a strong over 50team, completed a highly successful tour of Malaysia, winning all three matchedthey played on tour. The CMCA team returned to Colombo last week after a wonderful tour of Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of Dato Dr. HarjIth Singh, President of Johor Cricket Council and the Johor Cricket Academy.
Despite the inclement weather 3 games were between CMCA and Johor Rhino’s.
Johor Rhino’s captained by Azmi Majid. CMCA regular Captain Dharsha Abeywardena pulled out of the touring party and Lasantha Perera former Captain of Masters Indoor Cricket 40’s took over the burden of captaincy.
The games were played at the picturesque Johor Cricket Academy grounds and CMCA team prevailed on all 3 occasions. The Johor cricket teamconsisted of star players such as Azmi, Idris, Rakesh, Azal, Kim Meng and Ramesh( all ex. Malaysia national or state players). The lack of match practice was the main reason for their defeats, but the team picked up the pieces and played much better cricket as the tournament progressed.
At the end of the tournament, the gracious host Dato Dr. Harjit Singh along with his band of merry men ( Col. Manjeet, Bhuvi, Das) and the rest of the team hosted the CMCA team to a gala dinner with a free flow of drinks,culminating with the presentation of awards.
Despite the heat, the intense competition and the travelling, the CMCA team arrived with amazing memories of goodwill, kindness and friendship.Many bilateral series and championships will see the light of day as a result of this maiden tour of the Colombo Masters tour of Malaysia which was sponsored by SINGER PLC. The CMCA wishes to acknowledge Mr. Kumar Samarasinghe- The Marketing Director of SINGER, Citrus Vacations Limited who handled all the travel and tour arrangements and all those who helped us in making this tour a great success.
[Brief scores]
17th Nov 2017 -Rain delayed reduced to 20 over game
CMCA won by 9 wickets in 10 overs
JBCA - 63 all out in 19 over’s – Roshan Phillips 3 for 3, Lalith Wijerathna 2 for 13,
Durand Dawson 2 for 8, Sisila Indraratne 2 for 21
CMCA – 64 for 1 in 10 overs –Nishantha Rajapaksha 23, Upul Nandana 22n.o.
18th Nov 2017 - 25 over game
CMCA won by 52 runs
CMCA – 172 for 5 - Nishantha Rajapaksha40, Damin Tissaarachi 32, Lasantha Perera 31,
Lalith Wijerathne 30, Yazio Imran 1 for 24
JBCA – 120 for 5 in 25 over’s Lasantha,Durand and Lalith De Silva claim 1 wicket each
19th Nov 2017 – 20 over game
CMCA won by 83 runs
CMCA 174 for 2 – Damin Tissaarchi 57,Chryshantha De Silva 28, Durand Dawson 29 rtd Sisila Indraratne 23 n.o. Lasantha Perera 15 n.o.
JBCA – 91 for 8 in 20 over’s – Lalith De Silva 1 for 7 Pugitha Gunawardena 1 for 16 was pick of the bowlers and Durand Sisila Imam Chryshantha and Nandana claim 1 wicket each.