Sri Lanka Masters will lock horns with their Australian counterparts today in the semi-finals of the Over-50 Masters World Cup at the Mercantile Cricket Association grounds in Colombo – 7. The other semi-final will see England take on Pakistan across the wall at NCC. The grand final set to be played at the P. Sara Oval on Sunday.

Led by Shane Fernando and coached by Harsha de Silva, the Sri Lankan team has been a formidable presence in the tournament.

Organized by International Masters Cricket (IMC)—an Australia-based body dedicated to senior cricket—the body promotes four age group categories, ranging from Over-40s to Over-70s.

This year’s tournament has brought together 14 nations: Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, England, Wales, UAE, Canada, USA and the West Indies and caters for over 50 players. Sri Lanka Masters have consistently participated across all age-group World Cups, underscoring their commitment to veterans’ cricket.

Previous editions of the tournament were hosted in Sydney and Cape Town. The Colombo leg commenced earlier this month, with the 14-team event broadcast live globally. In total, 56 matches were scheduled, with each innings comprising 45 overs.

Veterans’ cricket continues to gain popularity worldwide, promoting fitness, camaraderie, and a love for the game well beyond the professional years. This tournament not only offers intense competition but also serves as a testament to the sport’s enduring appeal. However, despite its significance, the Masters World Cup struggles with limited sponsorship, relying largely on self-funding and a restricted budget to stay afloat.

Sri Lanka squad:

Saman Jayantha, Rory Ingram, Indika de Saram, Ruvin Peiris (Vice-Captain), Russell Ingram, Shane Fernando (Captain), Upul Chandana, Suwanji Madanayake, Duminda Somaweera, Dilshan Amarasinghe, Ravi Perera, Dillon Fernandesz, Priyantha Rajapaksha, Chaminda Rajapaksha, Punyakantha Abeygunasekara, Renuka Nonis, Pujitha Uduwana, and Daminda Wijesekara.

Sri Lanka team for the South Asian Cross Country Championships were scheduled to leave for Pakistan early morning today. The twice postponed championship will be held in Islamabad on Sunday. The team for this championship was selected early last year.

(Seated from left) S.P. Wasantha Kumara (Team Manager), Janz Dissanayake (Coach). (Back row from left)· W.M.N.G. Abeyrathne (Senior), W.H.K. Madhushan (Junior), R.A.D. Hemantha Kumara (Senior), W. Vakshan (Senior), R. Vidushan (Junior),

S. Thudiharshidan (Junior)

Under 19 Division I Limited Overs Cricket

by Reemus Fernando·

St. Benedict’s College recorded a crushing eight wickets victory over Lumbini College as paceman Ayesh Gajanayake came up with his best figures since joining the team in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited overs tournament match at Kotahena yesterday.

Gajanayake ‘used the morning conditions to good effect’ to rattle Lumbini for 60 runs.

The seven wicket haul by former Dharmadutha College, Badulla speedster is the best bowling performance so far in the ongoing limited overs tournament as Bens look for some consolation in this format after fairing badly in the two-day tournament (innings format).·

After Gajanayake’s nine over heroics (9-2-27-7) bundled out Lumbini, the Bens’ reached the target in 69 balls.

They conceded a heavy 69 runs defeat at the hands of St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa in their previous limited overs match but will now· · · look to gain momentum from their first victory.

St. Benedict’s are currently fighting for their place in Tier ‘A’ of the premier Division I tournament after D.S. Senanayaka College handed them a first innings defeat in the relegation match.·

The team captained by Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Sharujan Shanmuganathan will be looking to gain a morale boost from their first victory ahead of the next relegation match.

Meanwhile, in the other Tier A limited overs tournament match Gurukula beat Maliyadewa Kurunegala by five wickets after restricting the latter to 66 runs.

In a Tier ‘B’ match, Sri Sumangala College Panadura beat St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya by 61 runs.·

Results·

St. Benedict’s record eight wickets win at Kotahena

Scores

Lumbini

60 all out in 17.2 overs (Dinal Sewmina 27, Kanishka Rangana 12n.o.; Ayesh Gajanayake 7/27)

St. Benedict’s

64 for 2 in 11.3 overs (Jaindu Nandasena 32, Tehan Bitar 16n.o.; Praveen Maneesha 2/10)

Gurukula beat Maliyadewa at Kadirana

Scores·

Maliyadewa

66 all out in 28.5 overs (Chandupa Abeysinghe 21; Daham Vimukthi 2/10, Poorna Kalhara 2/16, Ohas Sadew 3/01)

Gurukula

67 for 5 in 17.2 overs (Daham Vimukthi 21, Thathsara Eshan 18n.o.; Nethra Nirmala 4/35)