Australia lose to Hindu College in T/20

A team from Australia’s High Commission in Colombo played a friendly Twenty/20 cricket match against students from the Hindu College (Ratmalana) last Saturday.

The match was organized in conjunction with the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation to support the work being done at the Hindu College where over 200 students from the North are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Unfortunately for the Australians, it was also an opportunity for their team to firsthand experience the students’ considerable cricketing talents, as the Hindu College team won in convincing fashion.

Presenting the winner’s trophy, the Australian High Commissioner Kathy Klugman, said: “For many years, sport has proved a valuable tool in fostering friendship, participation, team work and inclusion.

Through sport, individuals can learn and share community values, as well as gain a better understanding of other groups in society. Today, it is our privilege to support, in a small way, the important work being done by the Sri Lanka Government and the Hindu College with these students.”

Earlier in the day, the Australian High Commission team found it difficult to score against the pace and bounce of the Hindu College bowlers. Set a target of 96, the students’ opening pair set about their task briskly - their captain hitting five sixes in one over.

A Lankan papare band provided the background music, while the boys of the Hindu College provided the flare, passing the target with ease - much to the delight of their cheering school mates.

The match was attended by Military Liaison Officer, Brigadier L. C. Perera; the President of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, V. Kailasapillai, former national cricketer, Chandika Hathurusinghe, the Principal of the Hindu College, N. Manmatharajan, Australian High Commission staff and family members and over 300 students of Hindu College.