On January 30th 2022, the Sri Lankan All-Stars played the Australian Cricket Society’s Wandering XI at the magnificent John Coburn Oval in sunny Frankston.
The All-Stars batted first and put together a well-compiled 180 off their 40 overs with Ravi Kannangara and Nathaniel Cramer both scoring 31 runs – indeed all of the lads acquitted themselves well. The team was bolstered by two of the Society’s Cricket Academy members – brothers Leith and Harish Salwathura, 11 and 12 year olds – what a future they have! On the other side of the coin, Darryl Koch – aged 72 – also turned out!
The Wandering XI struggled early, particularly against Migara Jayasinghe who finished with 4/29 off his 8 overs – gained momentum in the middle stages but were no match for the shrewd captaincy of Keith Jansz at the end, and went down by 31 runs.
It was a terrific game played in great spirit. The hospitality of the Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club – home of Aussie Test Hero, Scott Boland – was brilliant, and thanks too to the Society’s Sam Ferguson for the after-match BBQ.
Wayne Ross
Photos courtesy of our own Johann!