MCA Cricket Academy recognises success at Global Academy Cricket Championships 2023

The Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Cricket Academy, formed in 2002, embarked on its very first overseas tour, to participate in the International Council of Cricket Academies (ICCA) Global Academy Cricket Championships 2023, held in Nottingham, England, from 16 to 26 July 2023.

The event saw 24 teams from 06 countries, including Sri Lanka, in 04 age categories, namely U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 taking part. 

MCA Cricket Academy entered one team each for the U-15 and U-19 categories. 

Our U-19 team was led by Adithya Pamoda Hettiarachchi from Ananda College and the U-15 team was led by Abeeth Jevin Paranavidana from S’ Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia.

The contingent for the tour of 10 nights and 11 days was composed of 29 players and 06 officials; the Chief de Mission was the MCA President, Nalin Wickramasinghe.

The MCA Vice President and Chairman Cricket Development and Academy Sirosha Gunatillake hosted the two teams, their parents and the media on 25 August at the MCA Legends Wing.

All players were presented with an attractive Certificate of Participation and 04 Special Award Winners at the tournament were recognised with a silver plaque each.

The 04 winners were : Sasith Vihanga Ratnayake from St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena  (Most Promising Player in the U-15 category ; performance – 04 matches, 71 runs and 06 wickets ; best batting being 35 not out Vs. MLC Junior East, USA and best bowling being, 09 overs, 15  runs, 03 wickets Vs. Dessert Cubs, UAE, Vishan Enuka Gunasekera from Colombo International School (Best Batsman in the U-15 category ; Performance – 04 matches, 172 runs, best being 97 Vs. Zimbabwe), Dineth Vindul Jayakody from St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, (Best Bowler in the U-19 category; performance- 05 matches, 11 wickets, best bowling 07 overs, 39 runs, 05 wickets Vs. Dessert Cubs, UAE) and Minev Nimdisa Paranawithana from Nalanda College  (Most Promising Player in the U-19 category ; 05 matches, 171 runs, best being 76 Vs. Select Cricket Academy, UK)

During the Ceremony, MCA Cricket Academy, Head Coach Namal Seneviratne, who will be shortly migrating to Australia with his wife, Shashikala Siriwardena, who is the MCA Cricket Academy Women’s Coach, were felicitated with glowing tributes, a cash contribution and an a memento for his long service. 

Namal Senaviratne firstly was the Assistant Coach to Sarath Perera from 2004 to 2009; then he was in England to play and coach League Cricket from 2009 to 0212 and on his return, he re-joined MCA Cricket Academy in the same year; he took as Head Coach in 2013 where he remained up to date.

The recognition Certificates and the other awards were presented by MCA Officials, Nalin Wickramasinghe (President), Mahesh de Alwis (Senior VP), Sirosha Gunatillake (VP, and Cricket Development Committee and Academy Chairman), P.K. Abeygunasekera (MCA Cricket Development Committee and Academy Secretary), Anil Hapugoda ( MCA Sponsorship Committee Secretary and Tournament Committee Member) and Wilmot Jayasinghe, ( MCA General Manager).