Windies CA emerge champions in two age groups in Bangalore
View(s):Windies Cricket Academy (WCA) of Matale, a junior cricket academy headed by well-known cricket personality and premier cricket match referee Ravi Punchihewa, tasted success in two age groups in the T20 tournament organised and conducted by the Youth International Sports Academy (YISA) in Bangalore, India.
It was WCA’s first-ever foreign assignment since it began operating from 2005. The academy fielded two sides in the age group of Under-12 and Under-14 and they succeeded to conclude the tournament with an unbeaten record on their way to emerge champions.
The specialty of the Under-14 age group was that the team was led by a girl Chalani Kaveesha with the rest comprising boys. In fact Chalani was made the captain by WCA head Ravi Punchihewa is due to her dedication, and her penchant to become a top class cricketer. Chalani has immense experience and at the age of 12 years she had the honour of representing the Dambulla Under-19 women’s team in the recently concluded SLC Super Provincial Tournament.
Chalani had a successful stint at the YISA tournament in the three-match series as she ended with a haul of seven wickets and 89 runs, with a top score of an unbeaten 52. She also held nine catches to fittingly be adjudged the player of the tournament.
In the Under-12 age group saw WCA’s Susum Kalurachchi being the pick of players as he bagged the player of the tournament award with his achievement of five wickets and 56 runs in the three games. In the Under-14 category WCA won their first round matches against YISA by 9 wickets and against Bangalore Cricket Academy by 98 runs before outclassing YISA in the final by 7 wickets.
In the Under-12 category WCA won their first round matches against Bangalore Cricket Academy by 9 wickets and against YISA ‘B’ by 129 runs, before pulling off a comfortable 7-wicket win over YISA ‘A’ to emerge champions.
Apart from emerging champions in both age groups, the WCA youngsters bagged a host of individual awards. In the Under-12 category Zayan Kiyaz became the best batsman, Danidu Epalawatte as the best bowler, Zaydh Hareez as the best fielder, Yohansa Nimsara as the up and coming player and Vihanga Sathsara and Janidu Induwara as emerging players.
In the Under-14 category Sasanda Nethmina was adjudged the best batsman with Hasada Sethum being named as the best bowler, Lakshan Senaratne as best fielder, Chamara Aluvhara as the best all-rounder and Yasas Hewage as the up and coming player.
The under 14 champion team posing for a picture after recevingthe trophy.
The under 12 champion team posing for a picture after recevingthe trophy.
Chalani Kaveesha proudly posing with the player of the tournament award.