Unichela wins against Sri Lanka Cricket U-20

By Tyrone Perera

A SUPERB all round performance by Sri Lanka Captain Malinda Warnapura, propelled Unichela to a comfortable 09-wickets win over Sri Lanka Cricket U-20 XI to annex the glittering MCA “Centenary” trophy in the Final of the MCA “Centenary Year” 2011, Invitational 20+20 super tournament which came to a close at the Colts grounds on Sunday.

On a slow turning wicket on his home grounds, Warnapura, bowled his quota of overs, bagging two for 18, held on to a superb catch in the deep and remained not out on 41 in 25 balls, including 3 sixes & 3 fours, which earned him the man-of-the –match adjudicated by his father, Upali Warnapura, who was the match Referee. HNB took the third place, beating ETI by five wickets, spear headed by a fine spell of bowling by Saman Jayantha (4-12-4).

Match Results / Finals

 The play - off for third place (Match No. 15)

Colts /Morning: HNB beat ETI by five - wickets

ETI (won the toss) - 79 (18.2) (Gayan de Silva 20,  Kosala Kulasekera 2/15,  Ranil Dhammika 2/16,  Saman JAyantha 4/12)

HNB – 82/5  (14.0) (Kosala Kulasekera 17,  Mevarn Fernando 16,  Charith Jayampathy  2/10)

The  Final (Match No. 16)

Colts /afternoon: Unichela beat Sri Lanka Cricket Development Squad U - 20 XI by 09-wickets

SLC U-20 (sent into bat) 98 (19.0) (Shean Jayasuriya 16, Chathuranga Kumara 24,  Malinda Warnapura 2/18,  Malinga Bandara 4/12)

Unichela: 99/1 (11.1) (Malinda Warnapura 41 not out,  Dilruwan Perera 38  not out)

Winner, Unichela led by Malin Silva received the glittering MCA  “Centenary” trophy and a cash award of Rs. 300,000/-

Runners - up,  SLC U-20 XI led by Ramith Rambukwella received the EH Kik-Cola/ Singer/ Samsung trophy and a cash award of Rs. 200,000/-.

Third place winner, HNB led by Chinthaka Jayasinghe received the D. Samson & Son (Pvt) Ltd.,  “Avi – Cricket” trophy and a cash award of Rs.100,000/-.

The man of the final, Malinda Warnapura received the MCA President’s trophy and a cash award of Rs. 40,000/-.   

At an impressive closing ceremony the awards were presented by Chandima Perera, VP/Head of Beverage - CCS Elephant House,  Kumar Samarasinghe - Sales Director - Singer Sri Lanka PLC., Shanker Narayan , Samsung India (Pvt) Ltd., - Sri Lanka Office, Sisira Padmadeva, Marketing Operations Manager - D. Samson & Sons (Pvt) Ltd., Mahesh Wijewardene,  Centenary /President, Ashley Ratnayake  Snr. Vice President  and  Chairman Sponsorship Committee and Wasanthalal Fernando, Chairman, Tournament Committee (all from MCA).