Melwire Rolling bags first MCA title beating Nations Trust Bank in a thriller

Melwire Rolling Ltd., led by 35 year old veteran, Mahendran Seshankumar bagged its first Mercantile Cricket title, the fourth Ceylon Biscuits sponsored, ‘CBL-Munchee’ Trophy – MCA ‘D’ division 40 Over League Tournament 2024.

In the Final concluded at the MCA Grounds on Saturday, Melwire Rolling snatched a heart stopping one wicket win over Nations Trust Bank ‘A’.

The match was dominated by bowlers, where 19 wickets fell for a mere 242 runs under 74 overs.

The bankers who won the toss and opt to bat was restricted to 121 runs in 39.2 overs by Melwire Rolling’s varied bowling attack of Malinda Perera (8-3-12-2), Sachin Senanayake (6.2-0-28-3), Aravinth Rajendran (7-0-26-2) and Jason Charles (8-0-11-2)

Melwire Rolling chasing an easy target of 122 runs in 40 Overs (RPO 3.05) lost one of their openers, Pasindu Sasanka for no-score.

Diminutive No. 3 batsman Sanesh Nadeeshan (50 in 80 balls, inclusive of 6 fours), who anchored the batting, was engaged in two partnerships, 47 runs in 59 balls for the second wicket with Lester Jayaweera (24) and 41 runs in 74 balls for the sixth wicket with Ishan Hansika (15).

NTB’s opening bowler, Madushan Chathuranga (8-0-31-5) turned the match upside down by getting rid of Sanesh Nadeeshan and Skipper Mahendran SeshanKumar, as Melwire Rolling slid to 113 for 9 in 32 overs; their last pair, Malinda Perera and Sachin Senanayake hung on grimly, as they took them over the line, 122 for 9 in 34.2 overs.

Match Referee, TH Wijewardena picked Sanesh Nadeeshan from Melwire Rolling, as the Man of the Match.

The other three special awards went to Madushan Chathuranga from NTB ‘A’ - Best Bowler (performance up to the Final: 07 matches, 187 runs, 19 wickets), Nadun Pathirana from NTB ‘A’ - Best Batsman (performance up to the final: 07 innings 281 runs, inclusive of one century and two half centuries), Lakshina Rodrigo from Hayleys Group ‘B’ - Man of the Series (performance up to the semi-finals: 07 matches, 209 runs, 18 dismissals behind the stumps, also bagged 4 for 23).

At the post tournament awards presentation, the trophies, medallions, cash awards and CBL gift packs were given away by the Chief Guest, Ceylon Biscuits General Manager Kushani Peiris, MCA President Mahesh de Alwis, General Secretary Rohan Somawansa and MCA Chairman Tournament Committee Lakshan de Silva.

Chief Scores:

NTB ‘A’ – 121 all out in 39.2 overs (Nadun Pathirana 18, Vikum Kalhara 25, Lashane Rodrigo 24, Malinda Perera 2/12, Sachin Senanayake 3/28, Aravinth Rajendran 2/26, Jason Charles 2/11)

Melwire Rolling – 122 for 9 in 34.2 overs (Lester Jayaweera 24, Sanesh Nadeeshan 55, Ishan Hansika 15, Madushan Chathuranga 5/31, Anjula Fernando 2/23)