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Sports

Outstanding performance by Bloomfield
It is a rare feat to win both the one day tournament and the longer duration tournament in a premier club season. Within the space of about 6 weeks Bloomfield CC annexed both trophies. Their opponents were Colts CC on both occasions. They were simply outplayed.

The Reid Avenue Club had a balanced outfit. The players are a combination of rich experience and talented youth. They also have an adequate number of substitutes who can fill the vacancies when the national players are not available.

To have a player of the calibre of Sanath Jayasuriya at the top of the order is a massive plus. His experience and knowledge is an unmatched influence. Jayasuriya is known to play the game with tremendous passion. This is still evident even when he plays club cricket. The contribution with bat and ball keeps coming regularly. At this level he hovers around in the slip cordon and hangs onto anything within reach. Two young players with much potential, Ian Daniel and Saman Jayantha take turns to partner Jayasuriya. They are contrasting in style.

Daniel is a steady accumilator more suited for the longer version of the game. Jayantha has the ability to play strokes around the wicket. He is a good player of pace and spin. Jayantha's innings in the one day final was an eye opener for the selectors.

It was a very mature knock, holding the innings together whilst Thilina Kandamby tore the Colts attack apart. After taking a while to find his feet at this level, Kandamby is now getting amongst the runs. He really belts the ball if its there to be hit and is no respecter of bowlers. Within the space of ten, twelve overs he took the game away from the Colts. If anything, he needs to shed some weight, get really fit and stay fit. He could be another player for the future.

T.M. Dilshan is enjoying a great season. His form with the bat continues.What is particularly pleasing is the manner in which he plays the spin bowlers. His using the feet to get to the pitch of the ball is a treat to watch. Most importantly the balance is solid and the stroke execution is spot-on, once in position.

The Captain Kumar Dharmasena has been a rock solid leader. He has played for this club since leaving school and the rise and rise plus the disappointments have been experienced at this club. He is a very respected figure as a cricketer, does not give up easily and a fighter to the core. He still makes substantial contributions at this level and so leads from the front.

Paceman Darshana Gamage, after a stint in the national ranks has shown improvement. It is tough for him to break through again to play for Sri Lanka. All he can do is keep performing for his club. That he did amply in the three day final. With some fine bowling on day one he put his team in an unbeatable position.

Young M.F. Mahroof on the eve of leading the under nineteen team to the World Cup bowled an impressive spell against the top order Colts batsmen.He has reasonable pace and is able to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. The future awaits this youngster.

He has all the makings to become a top class player. It is hard work and perseverance and discipline that will take him there. Since the late nineteen seventies Bloomfield Cricket Club has been amongst the top club teams in Sri Lanka. They have produced excellent teams and the very best of cricketers. The production line continues to assemble.This season they were exemplary and richly deserved all the success.

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