Cricket Legends Beat Batti Heroes by 54 Runs

Sri Lanka 96 World Cup Legends put into bat, 189 all out – ( 20 Overs ) Milinda Siriwardene 39 ( 1×6, 4×4, 22 balls ), Romesh Kaluwitharana 36 ( 2×6, 5×4, 21 balls ), Indika De Saram 29 ( 2×6,1×4,16 balls), Isuru Udana 26 (3×6,1×4,17 balls), Chamara Silva 12, Upul Chandana 10, Extras 19 – Romesh / Indika added 48 runs for the 02nd wicket, Indika / Milinda put on 30 runs for the 03rd wicket, Upul / Isuru involved in a 36 run stand for the 07th wicket – A. Latharshan 2 / 30, M. Mayurathan 2 / 35, R. Vithushan 2 / 46, G.Jeniciyas 02 victims.

Batti Heroes in reply, 135 / 5 – ( 20 Overs ) M.Sharuhan 68no (2×6,9×4,52 balls), M.Mayurathan 34 ( 1×6,4×4,43 balls ), Extras 14 – Mayurathan / Sharuhan added 58 runs for the 02nd wicket, Sharuhan / Jeganathan put on 29 runs for the 04th wicket, Sharuhan / Jayatheepan added 29 runs for the 05th wicket.

Best Emerging Player : A. Latharshan – Batti Heroes
Best Bowler : Sajeewa Weerakoon – Sri Lanka Legends
Best Batsman : M. Sharuhan – Batti Heroes
Player of the Match : M. Mayurathan – Batti Heroes

From Hambanthota to Point Pedro is almost 630 kms along the East Coast of the country, across the 04 largest Provinces covering 08 Districts and land extent of approximately 37,852 square kms. This is the only ground with turf wickets in the entire vast eastern region of Sri Lanka. It is also the first Turf Wickets to be built / used in the Eastern Province.

The venue is a new cricket ground built on state land leased by the Northern Provincial Council in the Batticaloa Divisional Secretariat. It is the First Phase of a multi phase development project. The venue consists of 04 turf pitches & 01 matting pitch in addition to 07 side turf practice pitches. The two storey pavilion has player dressing rooms on the ground with two dormitories inclusive of 14 bunker beds each. A digital scoreboard is also being built. The underground drainage system as well as the sprinkler system to water the ground has been completed. The 10 acre land will have Indoor Practice facilities, Swimming Pool for Aquatic Sports facilities & many other outdoor activities. The able Curator, Rico Rod Kelly who is also an able bat maker, had prepared a good track for the game. He has been trained in England. A fair crowd were provided with seating under large marquees / canopies & served with food / refreshments for being supportive spectators.

The District Secretary ( Government Agent ) of Batticaloa, K. Karunaharan hoisted the National Flag, the Batticaloa District Flag was hoisted by S. Ranjan – Superintendent of Excise, Batticaloa District, the Koddaimunai Sports, Village Flag was hoisted by E.Sivanathan – President, Koddaimunai Sports Village. Puvanasingham Vaseeharan – an entrepreneur from the United Kingdom has invested Rs. 200 million so far, to initiate this mega project in his home town. It was late Bandula Warnapura – the first Test Captain of Sri Lanka – who was involved in the initial stage from 2017. The COVID 19 pandemic curtailed construction activities. The work in the latter stage was entrusted to Kamal Gnanarathna – who is involved in the construction of Practice Wickets for Sri Lanka Cricket. The donor’s objective is to provide the latest infrastructure facilities for the young people in the area to uplift their skills in sports & life. His beloved wife, Aruni Vaseeharan was also present during the day.

The Koddaimunai Sports Club was formed in 1972. So they are celebrating 50 years now. A founder member of the Club, Erambamoorthy Sivanathan is the incumbent President. The Secretary is Arul Molly. Saranga Ranjan is the Treasurer. It is one of many Cricket Clubs in the Batticaloa District.

Batti Heroes :
Harry Vaheesan – Manager
Kannan Thiyagarajah – Coach
M. Mayurathan – Captain
M. Sharuhan, G. Jeniciyas – WK,
U.Rushvinth, R. Vithushan, K. Sajith
A. Latharshan, M. Nisthik, L. Lijan
S.Kavian, M. Jayatheepan,
A. Karishkanth

Cricket Legends :
Arjuna Ranathunga – Captain
Romesh Kaluvitharana, Upul Chandana, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Saman Jayantha, Isuru Udana, Indika De Saram – WK, Chamara Silva, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Dhammika Prasad, Milinda Siriwardene, Sajeewa De Silva, Brijesh Jeganathan

The match was streamed live by Batsman.com, who also assisted in providing statistics & photos for this report. Some information courtesy ThePapare.com

[huge_it_gallery id=”1092″]