Sports Minister 'reveals' cricket talent

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamge turned in a match winning performance to guide the Sports Minister's team to an exciting three runs win over Sri Lanka Cricket Six-a-Side Team softball cricket match played at Police grounds, Kandy yesterday.

Sports Minister known for his dynamic attitude both on and off the field dazzled both with the bat and the ball and also excelled in fielding along with the Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake who turned out to be a team man, rising to the occasion when the occasion demanded it.

The Sports Minister's Team batting fist scored 43 runs. Minister Aluthgamge opening the batting scored 18 runs which included two crispy drives to the boundary before retiring after a scoring 18 runs in just 10 balls. He was also the top scorer of the match. He put on 23 for the first wicket with S. Rajapaksa. Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake remained unbeaten on 2. Roland Perera captured 2 for 6.

Sri Lanka Cricket chasing a victory target of 44 to win were dismissed for 40 runs. Highlight of this innings was the fielding of Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake who held a high catch facing against the sun. In the last delivery of the match Sri Lanka Cricket needed four runs to win and R. Gallage hit the ball to mid on and ran for the run and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake was on the ball in a flash and throw it to Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamge who run the batsman out.

Sports Minister's Team: 43 for 3 wickets in 5 overs (Mahindananda Aluthgamge 18 (retired), Malcolm Perera 1 for 8, Ruwan Gallage 1 for 6).

Sri Lanka Cricket Team: 40 all out in 5 overs (Kapila Dandeniya 16, Mahindananda Aluthgamge 2 for 11).