Director of the Ceylon Veterans Cricket (CVC) Tournament Lasantha Perera (left) briefing the media about the event in the presence of CVC Director Mahesh de Zoysa (Pic: Nissanka Wijeratne)
An international over-50 years cricket tournament is set to be held in Sri Lanka in February next year with all countries that play cricket consenting to participate according to Ceylon Veterans Cricket that will be organizing it for the first time.
Ceylon Veterans Cricket has also organized an over-50 cricket tournament with three teams in the fray to be played on league basis that began on August 31.
This tournament will provide an opportunity to those over 40 years to play cricket and the teams in action are the Nationalised Services, Mercantile Cricket Association and Colombo Masters Cricket Association.
The winning team will be presented with Rs 100,000, while the first runner-up will get Rs. 50,000 and the second runner-up team Rs. 25,000.
Awards will also be given to Man of the Match and Best Player of the Tournament.
This was revealed at a Media briefing by the Ceylon Veterans Cricket at the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club on Tuesday (27). The five member organizing committee consists of Lasantha Perera, Sisira Indraratne, Mahesh de Zoysa, Srinath Withanage and Thushitha Illangamage.
They revealed that there are ten Associations consisting of old boys and play mostly friendly cricket matches in the over-40, 50 and 60 age categories. They also said that it is difficult to organiser players to play 40-over matches and mostly end up playing up to 30 overs per side.
“If the players wish to participate at international level they will have to elevate their fitness levels”, said Lasantha Perera.
The first round league games will be played at Bloomfield ground, Tamil Union, Army ground in Mattegoda and the Irrigation ground in Ratmalana. The final will be played at the P. Sara Oval after the Presidential elections.
Veterans’ cricket for players over 50 years was initiated in Sri Lanka several years ago by Colombo Masters Cricket Association under the guidance of its President Mahesh de Zoysa. There are about 10 Associations and 10 Schools that are playing veterans cricket in a very informal way.
Match Schedule
(Remaining matches)
Sept 1 – CMCA vs MCA at Bloomfield
Sept 7 – NSCA vs MCA at Bloomfield
Sept 8 – CMCA vs NSCA at P.Sara Oval
Sept 15 – CMCA vs NSCA at P.Sara Oval
Sept 17 – MCA vs CMCA at P.Sara Oval
