Jinasena leads Lankans in Lawyers Cricket World Cup
The 7th edition of the Lawyers Cricket World Cup is scheduled to begin in New Zealand tomorrow with the participation of eight teams from Sri Lanka, England, Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and New Zealand.
This year’s tournament is organised by the New Zealand Lawyers Association and the Australian Lawyers Cricket Association with the guidance of International Lawyers Cricket Council. The competition is played every two years.
Played on a league basis, the two top teams at the conclusion of the league matches will lock horns in the finals for supremacy at the Snedden Park International Cricket grounds in Hamilton. A World Cup Plate tournament will take place simultaneously to the main tournament which will be held for veteran lawyers over 40 years of age.
Sri Lanka won the runner up title on two occasions. The team is rich in experience having two players who have taken part in all six previous editions and three other players who have played in five World Cups. They have a well balanced side and are determined to win the tournament for the first time.
The team is led by right hand middle order batsman Yohan Jinasena who is playing in his fourth world event. He won the Man of the Tournament in 2013 edition held in India. The skipper has the services of Priyantha Rajapaksha who played for NCC earlier.
Asela Patabendi, a former Mahindian who opens batting and is playing in his fourth World Cup is Jinasena’s deputy. He led the team in Delhi in 2013 and will be joined by experienced players in right arm seamer Manesh Wevita who led the Lankans in 2015 in Brisbane, along with allrounders Tharanga Abeykoon and Buwaneka Basnayake.
Kuluna Rodrigo and Tharindu Peiris are making their maiden appearance in this mega world event. The strength of the team is the bowling unit comprising fine spinners and pacers who are sure to create problems for the other contenders.
The Lawyers won the annual Law-Medical encounter this year and were the runners-up in the Professionals Cricket League.