Unsung cricketing heroes
A gallant Sri Lankan Visually Handicapped XI scored a convincing 4-0 series win over the touring Australian Visually Handicapped XI in a five match (40 overs) series concluded at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Sri Lankan Visually Handicapped XI
The Minister of Sports and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Mahindananda Aluthgamage was the Chief Guest at the last match on Friday gave away the Man of the Match Award to Saman Kumara and Men of the Series in all three categories in B1 (Totally blind) – Saman Kumara, B2 (partly blind) – Ruwan Wasantha and B3 (slightly able to sight) – Chandana Sooriyarachchi respectively.
In the fourth match of the series which was called off due to rain, played at the RPICS on Tuesday Sri Lanka scored a mammoth 468 for the loss of 6 wickets in 40 overs thus registering the world’s second highest total by a visually handicapped team while Chandana Deshapriya scoring a fine 155 to become the Sri Lankan batsman to notch the highest individual score in an international match. There were altogether six centuries scored in this series by Sri Lankans – Chandana Deshapriya (155 & 117 n.o.), Ruwan Wasantha (114 & 101 n.o.), Saman Kumara (114 n.o.) and Chandana Kumara (116 n.o.) while seven half centuries were scored by Dimuthu Ravindra (88), Saman Kunara (58), Ruwan Wasantha (60, 68 & 79 n.o.), Chandana Deshapriya (57 n.o.) and Dinesh Matugama (54 n.o.) In a series dominated by batsmen Sri Lanka scored 1566 runs losing only 14 wickets facing 142.5 overs.
Earlier Sri Lanka hosted England in 2001which was won by the visitors 2-1 in a close contest and this bunch of fighting Sri Lankan
Australian Visually Handicapped XI
cricketers finished 3rd in the inaugural T20 World Cup competition – which was known by only a few people., It is a pity to note after performing so well in international matches upto now the Sri Lanka Cricket Association of the Visually Handicapped (SLCAVH) was not affiliated to the powerful Sri Lanka Cricket despite numerous requests tendered in writing. It is noted that other than a few gestures of goodwill by coaching and counseling the response have been negative from the SLC.
In countries like Pakistan, South Africa and England their main bodies are the caretakers of visually handicapped cricket associations. Considering these performances if the Sri Lanka Cricket recognises this association it will be easy for them to plan positively on the developments of the game. Another problem that this cricket Association is facing is finding sponsors to keep them financially afloat. For this tour Ministry of Sports gave their utmost support, financially and by providing transport along with the support of Orange Electric, Standard Chartered Bank, Maliban Biscuits and National Lotteries Board helped SLCAVH to conclude this tour on a high note.
Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped cricket team’s next destination will be to South Africa in November this year to take part in the World Cup (40 Overs) and if they perform well the entire Sri Lankan nation will stand up to salute them.
| Results at-a-glance:
First match at Pallekele Stadium on 17th April Fifth match played at the RPICS on 25th April |