On a warm mid autumn afternoon the cricketers from MDIS playing for the first time as a team gathered at Balestier Road to take on the welled oiled cricketing machine of CSC for the ‘Challenge’ trophy. MDIS captain Chamal De DeSilva won the toss and elected to bat first. CSC lead by their dynamic allrounder Harshan Danthanarayana took to the field beaming in confidence. The CSC bowling was given a pasting by the MDIS openers (Chamal & Inamul) who put on a 50 run stand and were flying at 7 runs per over. The break through CSC was looking for came through the ever persistent spin of Manoj Frank. While the pace bowlers struggled, the spin attack of CSC was able to get wickets at regular intervals and limit the MDIS team to 128 runs.

CSC opened their account in fine style through a cracking boundary off the bat of the axe wielding Prabha. The experienced CSC batting line up though struggled to get the innings flowing and a mini collapse was initiated through the combination of Inamul’s precision left arm orthodox and a catch that was pulled out of the air by Chamal running back from slip. Inamul bowled his heart out capturing 5 wickets and sending shock waves through the strong CSC batting line up which boasts having the rock solid Senthuran as their number 10.

When it seemed like things were going pear shape for CSC one man was able to stand between MDIS and the ‘Challenge’ trophy. Dhilharan Sivaratnam stood like a mammoth and made run getting look easy on a day which was dominated by bowlers. His lightning quick fifty featured some exquisite stroke play including a flat six which went in to the trees disturbing the wild life. Coupled with his elegant wicket keeping and trade mark “ I’ll stand up to the stumps for the opening bowlers” style won him the man of the match award and guided CSC to a slim two wicket win.

The Hon. Secretary General of MDIS and President of CSC Dr. R.Theyvendran PBM. and the Hon. Chairman Board of Games Mr. S. Sivamani who were the pillars of support for this event through their generous facilitating and sponsorship, graced the occasion and awarded the mementoes and the ‘Challenge’ trophy to cap off a fantastic day of cricket. Both teams enjoyed in to the evening making friends and sharing memories over drinks.