MIDDLESEX SENIORS ENJOY SUCCESSFUL TOUR TO SRI LANKA

There can be few better ways to avoid the gloomy days when winter is closing in than jetting off to warmer climes, in search of some winter sun!

Well, that is exactly what the Middlesex Seniors did through late October and early November, as they travelled in a touring group of 30 to Sri Lanka, although they did so with not only the brighter weather and cricket on their minds, but with a firm focus on providing support to a local Sri Lankan charity – The Foundation of Goodness - a charity with a mission to empower the less privileged rural communities within Sri Lanka, instilling the spirit of goodness, so that they may have equal opportunities to excel in life.

Prior to the trip, cricket and sports kit was collected from all corners of Middlesex and a significant logistics operation was put in place to be able to transport it all to Sri Lanka, with the kit donated for the benefit of local sports and children around the country.

During the tour, the group were fortunate enough to witness in person the important work the charity does in its local communities, visiting one of the charity’s main sites for a tour of the premises that included a kindergarten school, various training rooms and rooms for life skills such as IT and craftwork.

One of the most poignant moments of the tour was when the guide stood under the watermark left by the 2004 tsunami, high above us, and talked about the heroics of the founder of the Foundation (Kushil Gunasekera) as he led his class to higher ground and safety.

On the cricketing front, the group had five matches lined up against various Sri Lankan Masters teams, and Middlesex discovered some form on foreign soil, winning all of the games they played.

First up was a seven wicket win against Kandy Masters at Asgiriya, then a two wicket win against Thomian Masters at PUSA, followed by a victory against Colombo Masters by 30 runs at the Mercantile Cricket Ground.

Next up, it was a return to PUSA for another fixture, and a special note of thanks must go to the ground staff, as despite an overnight monsoon, they worked tirelessly to get the fourth game of the tour on against Lanka Cavaliers, which Middlesex won by four wickets.

The cricket action was completed with victory at Colombo Cricket Club against the Royalists, who were beaten by 35 runs.

All matches were played in the right spirit, with Middlesex Seniors delighted to return to home soil with five wins under their belts. There were plenty of good performances of note, however special mention must go to Jason Fenn for picking up the Batsman of the Tour Award, and to Rob Bonneywell for winning the Bowler of the Tour Award.

Away from the cricketing action, the tour party also managed to get in some sightseeing at some of the country’s most iconic tourist landmarks, including the Dambulla Cave Temple, the Pinnewala Elephant Sanctuary, Galle Cricket Ground and Fort, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a local tea plantation, a turtle sanctuary, a local spice garden and Pidurangala Rock.

The group also managed to fit in a visit to Duminda Abeytunge's family batik factory and an afternoon hosted by Navin Samarakoon at his family's villa.

Tour Party

The tour party consisted of players, partners an umpire and supporters, as follows:

Players: Rob Bonneywell, Jonathan Croft, Andrew Marshall, Jason Fenn, Olly Harvey, Simon Webb, Rob Willis, Richard Crompton, Nick Kenny, Michael Jadunath, Andy Gurdial, Gihan Herath, Navin Samarakoon, Abrar Dar, Duminda Abeytunge, Atula Tilakaratna & Bash Jooma

Umpire: Mark Williams

Partners/Supporters: Mike Willis, Jane Clack, Louise Croft, Alison Marshall, Sibyl Fenn, Jill Harvey, Jenny Webb, Estella Willis, Gillian Haslam, Kate Kenny & Adriann Jadunath

Our thanks go to Rob Bonneywell for providing the information on the Seniors Tour and for providing the following photographs of the trip.

1. ARRIVAL OF TOURING GROUP IN SRI LANKA