Western Naval Command emerge champion in Inter Command Cricket Tournament 2024
The final of Navy Inter Command Cricket Tournament 2024 was held at the Welisara Navy Cricket Ground on 28th March 2024. Director General Electrical and Electronic, Rear Admiral Viraj Leelarathna graced the final of the tournament, as the Chief Guest. In the final encounter, the Western Naval Command was crowned as the champions of the Inter-Command Cricket Tournament 2024.
The tournament's preliminary round matches were held from 13th to 15th March under three groups namely A, B and C. The games were held in the cricket grounds of the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, SLNS Shiksha in Poonewa and SLNS Nipuna in Boossa.
In group A, the Eastern, Afloat and Training Commands competed. Meanwhile, the Northern, Northwestern and North Central Commands were in group B. In addition, the Western, Southern and Southeastern Commands competed in group C. From the preliminary round the Eastern, Training, Western, Southern, Northern and North Central Commands were through to the second-round. On completion of the second-round matches, the Western, Training, Northern and North Central Commands qualified for the semifinals.
The semi finals were held on 24th and 25th March at the Welisara Navy Cricket Ground. In the first semifinal between the Western and Northern Naval Commands, the Western Naval Command was through to the final and the semifinal encounter between the Training and North Central Commands was won by the Training Command.
Accordingly, the final of the Tournament was held between the Western and Training Commands. Batting first, the Western Naval Command put up 267/9 in 50 overs. In reply, the Training Command only managed to score 99 all out in 32.3 overs.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant (Naval Infantry) KLL Shavinda from the Western Naval Command was adjudged the player of the tournament, best bowler and the player of the final. The best batsman of the tournament was Commander (S) GS Leelarathna from the North Central Naval Command. The award for the best fielder of the tournament was clinched by Ordinary Seaman PMD Mahesh from the North Central Naval Command.
Sri Lanka Navy Cricket Chairman Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Director General Services Rear Admiral Priyal Vithanage, Commandant Volunteer Naval Force Rear Admiral Lashanth N Hewavitharane and, group of officers and sailors from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command were also present on this occasion.