Southern California CA cricketers enjoy hospitality and cricket of Sri Lanka

The California CA Youth team with Coach Mumtaz Yusuf (second left) and former Sri Lanka cricketer Sidath Wettimuny (left)

The Southern California Cricket Association Youth team, under Coach Mumtaz Yusuf completed a 10-day tour of Sri Lanka from 25 December to 3 January. This was a fabulous and unique experience for the touring team who had to quickly acclimate themselves to the new environment 13 time zones away, that too shortly after a tiring 25-hour journey. Four 40-over games on back-to-back days across grounds in Seenigama and Colombo awaited them. 

After landing at Colombo, the team travelled to Galle on 26 January for the first leg of the tour, to be played at the Foundation of Goodness facility at Sri Sumangala College in Seenigama. The hot and humid weather, and the sub-continental pitch conditions that offered turn and relatively lower bounce were a new experience for the team coming from Southern California, testing their stamina, skills and adaptability. The team was privileged to face quality bowling and fantastic fielding from the FoG Academy and Sri Sumangala College teams on 27 and 28 January. Beyond the games, it was humbling to play at this location that had gone through a remarkable rebirth after the devastation wreaked by the tsunami. The team members were privileged to meet and interact with not only good players but also some wonderful people like Anura de Silva, coaches Dinesh and Harsha, among others. 

Returning to Colombo on 29 January for the second leg, the team was tested further. They were privileged to play at two of the historic cricket grounds - Colombo Colts on 29 and P Sara Oval on 30 January. The day at the Colts ground was made even more memorable by the presence of Chaminda Vaas, Sidath Wettimuny and Carlton Bernardus, who were lavishly generous with their time, sharing their knowledge and wisdom with our players. Besides the games, the players appreciated the history of these grounds where many great players had walked, and to have been able to play on the same surface is something they will cherish for long. 

On the rest days, the players immersed themselves in the culture and heritage of the host nation. In addition to the Colombo city tour on 31, the team made a day trip on 1 January to the Dambulla Cave Temple, and also hiked up the Sigiriya fortress braving the rains. 

The team wrapped up their tour playing a couple of T20 matches at the Mercantile Cricket Association ground on 2 January. The hospitality of the Sri Lankan people, the quality of the games, the grandeur of the venues and the uniquely challenging playing conditions have all left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate to be part of this tour.

Tour Results

Game 1

SCCA Youth 155 (38.2) (A. Desai 41, P. Chaminda 4/16, S. Malshan 4/22) lost to Foundation of Goodness Academy 156/7 (29.2) (A. Sithumina 42, Y. Lakshan 43, D. Kulkarni 3/22)

Game 2

SCCA Youth 156 (35.5) (S. Menon 68, S. Camila 3/30) lost to Sri Sumangala College 157/4 (28.3) (R. Theekshana 59, R. Deshan 47, K. Tholudur 1/13)

 Game 3

SCCA Youth 221/5 (40) (S. Menon 100*, Sahan 1/25) won by DLS against Colts Cricket Academy 59/3 (20) (Bosith 23, K. Tholudur 1/9)

 Game 4

Colts Cricket Academy 181/7 (40) (Sahan 55, A. Desai 2/26) lost by DLS against SCCA Youth 141/3 (23.5) (J. Mathew 64*, Mihisara 2/9)

 Game 5

MCA Academy 105/7 (20) (Nikita 28, A. Patel 3/12) lost to SCCA Youth 107/5 (19.1) (A. Quereshi 30*, Menuka 1/12)

 Game 6

SCCA Youth 174/4 (20) (J. Mathew 80, D. Kulkarni 45) won against MCA Academy 106 (19.4) (Sadeesha 21, M. Patel 3/10)