Day 8 - Match 4 Vs Mahinda College, Galle

Due to 'technical difficulties' this blogger is sad to report that there will be no photos for the foreseable future (or until I can fix my laptop).

Today's match vs Mahinda College took place at the Galle Test Ground. Badly hit by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, the ground was rebuilt thanks to the fundraising efforts of Shane Warne. Dominating one whole side of the ground is the colossal fort built by the Portuguese and renovated by the Dutch and the British. It made for an awe-inspiring backdrop to a decent day's cricket.

Mill Hill lost the toss and were put into the field on a slow wicket. Ethan Bamber opened the bowling with some lovely swinging deliveries. His slow ball claimed the first wicket of the day. Other wickets soon followed; Ben Balcombe took a catch and Matthew Thal claimed 4 wickets from 6 overs. 

For his performance Matthew also received the newly created 'Yellow Jersey' of the Tour. This yellow t-shirt will be awarded in future matches to the man of the match, and their figures will be preserved for posterity when they are written on the jersey.  Other helpful contributions came from Leo Isadore, who took a wicket, and Jamie Davies who took two wickets. Overall, Mill Hill fielded well and were able to keep the opposition down to a competive total of 96 all out. 

After lunch, Jamie Stewart and Ethan Bamber opened the batting. Jamie unfortunately was out in the first over. This was, unfortunately, to be a reecuring theme to the Mill Hill innings. The boys were unused to the quality of the spin bowling on a slow wicket.  Before long, Mill Hill were 25 for 4, which soon became 30 for 8. Henry Webster hit 16 runs, while Jamie Davies hit 14. Finally, Lorenzo  Tomasi put in a sprited performance as the game reached its conclusion. Mill Hill were only able to muster 40 all out. However, many lessons were learnt by the boys, who all reacted positively in the face of adversity. 

The match was followed by a trip into the Dutch fort along with a guided tour. We were shown the Dutch hospital as well as a Anglican church that had been turned into a Mosque and a Dutch Lutheran Church. 

On returning to the hotel, the boys cooled off in the pool before the now traditional game of catch on the beach. However, this time was different, and several of the boys were invited to play beach cricket against some local Sri Lankans. The invitation followed a fantastic piece of fielding by Ethan Bamber who caught a ball smacked for 6 by a Sri Lanka. 

From this blogger's position on the beach it was difficult to tell who won. One thing is certain - the Sri Lankans certainly seemed more adept at holding on to the carved piece of word being used as a bat. A number of times, people went scurrying for cover as the bat went hurtling over their heads.  However to aid future touring sides, Ethan Bamber gratiously denoted a number of bat grips to the local lads. 

The evening ended with dinner on the beach, fireworks and a bonfire as the Sri Lankans geared up towards their new year. 

Another great day. Less successful on the cricket pitch, but rewarding nevertheless.