'Lanka Bell Wayamba' shines in cricket tourney

CRICKET: The Lanka Bell Wayamba Provincial cricket team put on a superb performance in the inaugural inter-provincial tournament 2008/09 organised by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The tournament is conducted by SLC in order to improve the standard of domestic cricket whereby the creme of the countries top cricketers are selected to represent 5 provincial teams.

Four tournaments were held in the inaugural season, namely a one-day tournament, two Twenty 20 tournaments and a four day first class tournament.

The Wayamba team had the distinction of qualifying for the finals of all 4 tournaments.

The provincial season kicked off with the one-day tournament where the Wayamba team was declared joint champions with the Kandurata Provincial team when the final was interrupted by rain.

This tournament was followed by the first Twenty-20 tournament where the Wayamba team clinched victory by defeating the Ruhuna Provincial team in the final. The next tournament conducted was the 4-day first class tournament where the Wayamba team emerged runners up to the Basnahira - North team.

The final tournament of the season was the second Twenty-20 tournament where the Wayamba team retained the title defeating the Basnahira - South team in the final.

The Lanka Bell Wayamba team consisted of National players in the calibre of former national skipper Mahela Jayawardane, Jehan Mubarak, Micheal Vandort, Farveez Maharoof, spinning sensation Ajantha Mendis as well as seasoned campaigners such as Jeewantha Kulatunga, Lanka de Silva, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welagedara and up and coming youngsters such as Isuru Udana, Shalika Karunanayaka, Kaushalya Lokuarachchi and Mahela Udawatta.

The Wayamba Team is sponsored by Lanka Bell Limited, Which has been in the forefront of sports development in the country.