RT Cricket 2019
31st Battle of the Blues Toronto, July 20th, 2019
Written by Russell Rajaratnam
Fellow STC Cricketers,
Firstly, congratulations to the main team for their brilliant win, and in chasing a formidable score of 256 runs in a 40 Over game and that too after a gruelling 40 Overs fielding first, in those extreme heat and humid conditions.
What goes unnoticed is the great Substitute work performed by Shaylen Jayasekera, giving several of our players a break, one at a time, to come off the field, and recoup.
As I told Vishan,, he displayed an example of supreme fitness, taking everything into consideration.
It goes without saying that it was our Batting that Won the game for us.
John helped Shantha to steady the Innings with a 20 runs in a 41 run crucial stand, after we lost our 1st wicket in the 2nd ball of the innings…..taking 1 for 0 to 2 for 41.
Then Lakshan truly helped Shantha in cementing a solid foundation with a solid 87 run stand, with Lakshan’s intelligent stay at the wicket, providing a small but valuable 12 runs in a 87 run partnership, due to Shantha’s classical and brilliant knock of 98 runs.
And we had in Vishan the high class in batsmanship that was able to build on the great foundation John, Shantha and Lakshan provided, with his clinical knock of 53 unbeaten runs, who together with the young Meshan who provided great support to Vishan in scoring 16 precious runs in another crucial match winning stand of 65 runs to virtually close out the game without further pressure.
Shantha’s 98 and Vishan’s 53 n.o paved the way with support from John, Lakshan & Meshan with Veeshma scoring 9 n.o in taking us over the line with a really crucial 26 run final stand with Vishan.This was batting of the highest class guys.
Congratulations Sathish on leading the side. It must also be acknowledged that Vishan de Mel played a vital role in restricting Royal to 6.4 runs an over over the 40 overs, as he bowled the most overs along with Meshan at 8 overs each, in those gruelling conditions, with Vishan bowling his 8 overs at a very nominal 3.88 runs per over, of the 6.4 runs per over Royal maintained.
