2nd International Council for Cricket Academies champions kicks off on 18 December

Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Cricket Academy Under-13 Juniors will get international exposure for the first time when they compete alongside teams coming down from UAE, India, and Zimbabwe, to participate at the 2nd International Council for Cricket Academies (ICCA) champions’ trophy tournament to be held in Colombo from 18 to 27 December 2023.

The MCA Cricket Academy Under-15 team who participated in the inaugural ICCA Tournament in England last July will also take part in the Under-15 category. Thus, the MCA Cricket Academy hogs the limelight being the only Sri Lankan Academy selected to play in this tournament.

The Under-13 tournament will be for 40 overs a side and the Under-15 tournament will be for 50 overs a side.

The other three teams who will play alongside Mercantile Cricket Association Academy in both categories are: Dessert Cubs Cricket Academy - UAE, Karnataka Institute of Cricket - India and; Ramah Sports Academy - Zimbabwe. The tournament is jointly managed by Dessert Cubs Cricket Academy - UAE and; the Mercantile Cricket Academy, with Sargia Sri Lanka being its logistics and event partner.

The tournament kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring colourful cultural dance performances on 18 December, 5.00 p.m. at the MCA Grounds.

At the inaugural ICCA Global Academy Championship held in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom from 18 to 25 July, where over 300 players participated, MCA the only Academy from Sri Lanka sent their Under-15 and; Under -19 teams to participate and; came back bagging 04 Special Awards, namely Under-15 Best Batsman (Vishan Gunasekera); Under-15 Most Promising Player (Vihanga Ratnayake); Under-19 Best Bowler (Dineth Jayakody) and; Under-19 Most Promising Player (Minew Paranawithana).

The tournament will culminate with a glittering awards presentation and a gala dinner on 27 December 2023.