By M.H.Yakeem
Hertfordshire Seniors Cricket tour of Sri-Lanka
Hertfordshire seniors arrived in Sri-Lanka last week to play eight friendly matches as a goodwill of both countries against clubs in Colombo and Outstations teams. The tour was organised by Lion Sports Travel UK with Aitken Spence as the coordinator in Sri-Lanka.
The Cricket fans would be thankful to Hertfordshire Seniors for coming to Sri-Lanka along with their families in a crisis and situation we are all faced with and our spectators could enjoy the UK seniors playing in Sri-Lanka and also would be an eye opener to other countries who wishes to tour our Motherland.
In their third game of the tour, they lost to Colombo Masters in a nail biting finish which was played on the 7 March at the SSC grounds, Maitland Crescent, Colombo- 7.
Colombo Masters winning the toss and inviting the touring Hertfordshire to take first lease, their openers gave a good start putting up a solid partnership of 47 runs and also partnerships of 31 runs for the second wicket and 71 runs for the third wicket kept the score board ticking with Duncan Elder playing a fantastic innings coming as an opener and P.Ryder , J. Dover, D, Murphy’s gallant knocks got them passed the 200 plus mark. Palitha Liyanage had the best figures with 3/ 33.
Colombo Masters in reply, lost their four early batters at the score on 77 runs, but Pujitha Gunawardena who is in cracking form along with Dharsha Abeywardena playing a supportive role added 60 runs for the fifth wicket and the next two wickets falling cheaply, Shafeek Raheem an experienced Cricketer and Imam Deen took control of the game, the pair together added 47 runs for the eighth wicket to guide Colombo Masters to a thrilling win. John Smith and Kevin Kelly were the pick of the bowlers capturing 3 scalps and 2 scalps respectively.The oldest of the team David Green, who is in his late 70’s claimed a wicket, which he will not forget in his life time that is at the SSC grounds in Sri-Lanka where international matches are being played.
Hertfordshire Seniors – 210/ 6 in 35 overs
D Elder 40, P. Ryder 36, J. Dovey 30, D. Murphy 34, Palitha Liyanage 3/33
Colombo Masters – 211/ 7 in 32.3 overs
Ramesh Wannakuwatte 17, Thusitha Illangamage 26, Pujitha Gunawardena 42, Dharsha Abeywardena 27, Shafeek Raheem 42 not out , Imam Deen 20 not out, John Smith 3/21, Kevin Kelly 2/45
