Ceylon first beat M.C.C. in limited-overs cricket in 1969

CRICKET: Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, first defeated England (MCC) in a limited over cricket match after 87 long years at the Colombo Oval (P.Sara Stadium) on January 25, 1969. It was in 1882 that Ceylon as we were then known, started playing cricket.

The Ceylon team was captained by Michael Tissera and Colin Cowdrey captained MCC. In a 60-over game, Ceylon beat MCC on a faster run rate.

M.C.C., batting first, were 236 for 6 in 60 overs and Ceylon replied with 234 for 7 in 56 overs.

Dr. Buddy Reid (58) and Ranjith Fernando (57) - the Ceylon openers, laid the foundation for the win with a opening stand of 121 runs. There were two more useful knocks by Anura Tennekoon (42) and Dhanasiri Weerasinghe (43).

MCC

John Edrich c Ranjith Fernando b Razick 35, Roger Prideaux c & b Razick 36, Keith Fletcher lbw Razick 48, Tom Graveney b Kehelgamuwa 30, Colin Cowdrey c Tennekoon b Ernest 38. Basil D Oliveira c Fernando b Ernest 31, Allan Knott not out 9.

Did not bat: Jeff Jones, Bob Cottam, Robin Hobbs, Pat Pocock. Extras 9. Total: for 6 wkts in 60 overs 236. Fall of wickets: 73, 76, 125, 190, 204, 236. Bowling: T. B. Kehelgamuwa 12-2-38-1, Daya Sahabandu 12-4-35-0, Ghulam Razick 12-1-47-3, Cyril Ernest 5-1-41-2, Fitzroy Crozier 12-3-33-0, Michael Tissera 7-0-43-0.

CEYLON

Dr. Buddy Reid b Pocock 57, Ranjith Fernando Prideaux b Hobbs 58, Anura Tennekoon c Cottom b B Doliveira 42, Dhanasiri Weerasinghe c Jones b B D' Oliveira 43. Michael Tissera b B.'D' Oliveira 3, Ghulam Razick not out 15, Dr. Cyril Ernest b Cottom 0, T. B. Kehelgamuwa run out 0, Fitzroy Crozier not out 0, Did not bat: Dr. V. Sivanathan, Daya Sahabandu. Extras. 16, Total. (For 7 wkets in 56 overs) 234 Fall of wickets: 121, 128, 194, 215, 218, 219, 223. Bowling: Jeff Jones 9-1-29-0, Bob Cottom 12-2-26-1, Basil D' Oliveira 12-3-37-3, Robin Hobbs 11-0-78-1, Pat Pocock 12-2-48-1.

- R.A.