Suriyarachie excels at blind cricket World Cup

Cricket luv’ly cricket with difference. Even giving a flame of hope for the blind cricketers world wide. The Third World Cup, staged in Pakistan. This novel tournament a brainchild of the World Blind Cricket Council afforded tremendous enthusiasm among the participants drawn from Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan. Sri Lanka. For the first time cricketers from the Caribbean islands (West Indies) also entered the fray. It was held from Dec. 4 to 1 and was played on a league basis. First winners South Africa pulled out for reasons best known to them.

Sri Lanka had to confront against the Kiwis, West Indies and Pakistan. The tournament was marred by fickle weather. The first 4 entered the semi-finals. India beat England. Pakistan beat Australia to enter the finals.

Sri Lanka’s match against England. The Lankans made 203 in 40 overs. C. Suriyarachie top scored with 58 (5 fours), R. Jayaratne 43, Dimuthu Perera 37, boosted the total. England went to town. Made the required 204 runs for no loss in the 26th over. In their tie against Australia the Lankans gave a spirited performance 231 all out in 40 overs. The Australians sweated to score 232 for 7 in the last over.

Suriyarachie gave an outstanding allround performance (46 runs and 5/46) adjudged man of the match. Received US$ 100. India amassed 412/6 in 40 overs against Sri Lanka. The Lankans were outclassed made 127/7. R. Jayaratne scored 54 n.o., Udyanga captured 2 Indian wickets and ran out 2 batsmen.

Defending champs Pakistan defeated India in the finals to retain the Blind World Cup. It was played at Rawalpandi stadium.

Ravi Perera Vice – President of the National cricket Association for the Blind in Sri Lanka. He was one of the two accredited foreign umpires. At the 11th annual general meeting held in Islamabad on Nov. 28 and 29. Rienzie Benedict Secretary (National Cricket Association for the Blind). He was unanimously elected Vice-President to the world body.

Geoff Smith (England) Secretary General and Peter Donovan, (Australia) as Chairman.

The Lankan team’s sponsors were Sight Sevens International, Sri Lanka Cricket, President’s Fund, Ministry of Sports, MAS Active, The Maharaja Organization, Visually Handicapped Trust Fund, Sri Lanka cricket Foundation and Bloomfield C&AC.
-BW