Colombo. Monday 21 February 2011. The Seylan Bank cricket team marked a momentus new entry in the Mercantile Cricket Association’s record books as it beat the star-studded Unichela IX to clinch the prestigious Mercantile ‘A’ Division Knock-Out title for the first time in the Bank’s history. The Seylan Team swept aside all opposition, in a business-like manner, employing lofty standards and astute strategies, coupled with a highly disciplined, committed and focused approach to achieve truly deserved glory.
The Cricket Team’s achievement has been highly appreciated as it turned around towards excellence conquering all barriers from the near bottom of the league the previous year. This is much in tandem as it were with its employers, Seylan Bank PLC – who being admirably led - also re-invented itself to rise phoenix-like to phenomenal growth, significant success and winning ways.
Unichela’s skipper Malin Silva, won the toss of the coin and banking on his star studded batting line up, decided to take first lease of the wicket to be soon in deep trouble – as Seylan’s pacie Kaushalya Weeraratne with a business-like opening spell, made the Unichela’s top order batting line truly pay, with a return of 4 for 51.
Seylan’s seamer Tharaka Kottahewa, then made capital use of the gloomy conditions, to bowl economically and end with an invaluable return of 3 for 46. Unichela skipper Malin Silva then got into the scheme of things with a splendid century to make certain that his side ended up with a defendable total of 199 for 8 in their allotted overs.
Kanchana Guanwardene and Lasith Fernando opened Seylan’s account, with the crowd enjoying a splendid game of cricket. With the fall of quick wickets it was left to Lasith Fernando to save the bankers of embarrassment – which he did so admirably with a resourceful 41. Sri Lankan Test opener Tharanga Paranawithana then proved to be an asset with a sterling 51 and with skipper Chanaka Wijesinghe led a measured recovery to drive the Bank to a winning position. Bowling hero Kaushalya Weeraratne, proved to be an asset and capitalizing on the wayward bowling executed some valued reverse sweeps to put the issue beyond doubt. Seylan edged past the required score of 199 with 7 balls to spare eventually.
The emphatic win truly epitomized the resolve and resourcefulness of Seylan Bank PLC and its Cricket Team – analysts inevitably drawing a parallel between the duo – as they rose once again to heady heights and winning ways.
Photo Caption: The Seylan Bank Cricket Team poses for the cameras with the Chairman Seylan Bank PLC Eastman Narangoda and Consultant – Banking Ajita Pasqual.
