Arjuna’s 1996 WC Team win by seven wickets

by Ranjan Anandappa

Arjuna Ranatunga’s 1996 World Cup winning team beat a Sri Lanka Legends cricket team by seven wickets in a Baby Cheramy ‘Big Heart’ Project Twenty20 friendly cricket match at the NCC grounds yesterday.

The match was organised by Baby Cheremy ‘Big Heart’ Project in aid of ‘Nena Diriya Trust of Probation’ and Childcare Services Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs. It was sponsored by Hemas and former Test cricketer Roshan Mahanama was the Project Ambassador.

The big crowd who was present had a glimpse of there 1996 cricket heroes as Arjuna Ranatunga and Romesh Kaluvitharana led the way for their teams win. Former opener Romesh Kaluvitharana was the most impressive striking a quick 52 before retiring Arjuna Ranatunga struck a useful 37 as they swept past the victory target of 138.

Asoka de Silva took all 3 wickets for 26 runs for the Legends Team.

Sri Lanka Cricket Legends Team: 137 for 6 in 20 overs (Sidath Wettimuny 16, Hemantha Devapriya 30, Hemantha Wickremaratne 29, Eric Upashantha 24, Chamara Silva 23).

1996 World Cup Champions Team: 138 for 3 in 14.1 overs. (Romesh Kaluvitharana 52 retired, Arjuna Ranatunga 37, Asoka de Silva 3 for 26).