Melwire Rolling (Pvt.) Ltd., led by 35-year-old veteran Mahendran Seshankumar, bagged their very first mercantile cricket title in the 4th Ceylon Biscuits Limited-sponsored CBL-Munchee Trophy – MCA “D” Division 40-Over League Tournament 2024.
In the final concluded at the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Grounds on Saturday (6), Melwire Rolling snatched a heart-stopping one-wicket win over Nations Trust Bank PLC “A”.
The match was dominated by bowlers, where 19 wickets fell for a mere 242 runs under 74 overs.
The bankers who won the toss and opted to bat were restricted to 121 runs in 39.2 overs by Melwire Rolling’s varied bowling attack of Malinda Perera (8-3-12-2), Sachin Senanayake (6.2-28-3), Aravinth Rajendran (7-26-2), and Jason Charles (8-11-2).
Melwire Rolling, chasing an easy target of 122 runs in 40 overs (RPO 3.05), lost one of their openers, Pasindu Sasanka for no-score.
Dimunitive number three batsman Sanesh Nadeeshan (50 in 80 balls, inclusive of six fours), who anchored the batting, was engaged in two partnerships, 47 runs in 59 balls for the second wicket with Lester Jayaweera (24) and 41 runs in 74 balls for the sixth wicket with Ishan Hansika (15).
NTB’s opening bowler Madushan Chathuranga (8-31-5) turned the match upside down by getting rid of Sanesh Nadeeshan and skipper Mahendran SeshanKumaar, as Melwire Rolling slid to 113 for nine in 32 overs. Their last pair, Malinda Perera and Sachin Senanayake hung on grimly as they took them over the line, 122 for nine in 34.2 overs.
Match referee T.H. Wijewardena picked Sanesh Nadeeshan from Melwire Rolling as the Man of the Match.
The other three special awards went to Madushan Chathuranga from NTB “A” .
Best Bowler (performance up to the final: seven matches, 187 runs, 19 wickets): Nadun Pathirana from NTB “A”.
Best Batsman (performance up to the final: seven innings 281 runs, inclusive of one century and two half-centuries): Lakshina Rodrigo from Hayleys Group “B”.
Man of the Series (performance up to the semifinals: seven matches, 209 runs, 18 dismissals behind the stumps, also bagged four for 23).
At the post tournament awards presentation, the trophies, medallions, cash awards, and CBL gift packs were given away by the Chief Guest, Ceylon Biscuits Limited General Manager Kushani Peiris, MCA President Mahesh de Alwis, MCA General Secretary Rohan Somawansa, and MCA Tournament Committee Chairman Lakshan de Silva.
Brief scores
NTB “A” – 121 (39.2) Vikum Kalhara 25, Lashane Rodrigo 24, Nadun Pathirana 18, Sachin Senanayake 3/28, Jason Charles 2/11, Malinda Perera 2/12, Aravinth Rajendran 2/26
Melwire Rolling – 122/9 (34.2) Sanesh Nadeeshan 55, Lester Jayaweera 24, Ishan Hansika 15, Madushan Chathuranga 5/31, Anjula Fernando 2/23