PVCC concludes successful tour

Plenty Valley Cricket Club from the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia completed their third annual youth development tour to Sri Lanka recently. Organized by Peterite cricketer of the early 80’s and Melbourne resident, Mario Roshitha Perera, their first tour took place in July 2010 followed by the second tour recently. On this occasion, 14 players and 2 officials accompanied by 15 supporters toured Sri Lanka. They played five one-day games and a T20. The youngsters aged 14 to 16, enjoyed the opportunity of playing at the Rangiri Dambulla and Pallekelle international stadiums. They won two of their games and lost the rest.

Vice captain Josh Barton enjoyed a great tour with scores of 71 against Kalutara District and 65 not out against North Central Province in addition to taking 4 for 33 against Kandy District. Another highlight of the tour was a 121 run first wicket partnership between Jacob Ireland and skipper Jack McLagan against Kandy District. Ireland went on to make an attractive 72 and McLagan made 40. Other notable performances on tour were Ayden Hurst’s 92 against Kalutara District, Sam Connop’s 45 against Kalutara District, 3 for 34 against CCC Academy and 3 for 27 against Kurunegala District, Alex Love’s three for no runs against Kalutara District and James Clark’s 3 for 13 against North Central Province.

During their stay in Colombo, the tour squad were hosted to a tea party by the High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka HE Robyn Mudie.

Tour match results:

Game 1 – PVCC (292 for 6) beat Kalutara District (137 all out)
Game 2 – CCC Academy (290 all out) beat PVCC (93 all out)
Game 3 – PVCC (136 for 8) beat Kurunegala District (133 for 6) (T20)
Game 4 – PVCC (105 all out) lost to North Central Province (106 for 6)
Game 5 – Kandy District (202 all out) beat PVCC (187 all out)
Game 6 – PVCC (77 all out) lost to St Peter’s College (78 for 5)

The PVCC squad: Jack McLagan (Capt.), Josh Barton (Vice Capt.), Jacob Ireland, Henri Schiavon, Sam Connop, Ayden Hurst, Alex Love, Lachlan O’Brien, James Clark, Nelson Rouw, Adam Jacklin, Nathan Gorst, Josh Robinson, James Sparrow, Ben Dennett ( Team Director ), Mario Roshitha Perera (Tour Director).