Last week, we reached the end of the inaugural Global T20 Canada, which saw ICC associate member cricketers playing alongside some of the biggest stars in the game in what was the first ever professional T20 league in North America. Prior to the start of the tournament, Read Scoops caught up with several of the top cricketers participating and asked them their views on the historic tournament. Read their takes here.
In the final, it was the Cricket West Indies (CWI) B-team that took on Vancouver Knights. The B team was one of the underdogs of the tournament, but they had a flawless tournament until the final, where they crumbled under the pressure that the Knights applied on them, led by the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle.
The CWI team was put in to bat but they lost a lot of early wickets thanks to some fiery bowling by Sheldon Cottrell, who ended with 4/29 and also ended as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, with 16 scalps. The Knights only had to chase 146 in the final, which is by all means a below-par T20 score.
They lost early wickets and were reduced to 22/3 but Rassie van der Dussen and Saad bin Zafar put up an unbeaten 126-run stand for the 4th wicket to take the Knights across the line and lift the inaugural Global T20 Canada trophy. It was a historic moment for cricket in the country and for each member of the Knights’ squad as well.
Srimantha Wijeyeratne ?? was one of the members of that winning squad. Wijeyeratne is one of those players who have represented Canada in international cricket but are currently playing their cricket in Sri Lanka. Read Scoops was lucky enough to talk to him and ask him about the amazing experience of lifting the inaugural GT20 trophy.
I’ve been in the Canadian national set up since 2015. It was good to play in this premier international tournament at home. It was overwhelming to see the crowd come and support us when they had the time. They obviously couldn’t make it during the week, but weekend games were packed,” Wijeyeratne said about playing in the tournament and the crowd coming to support them during their games.
Here’s the winning moment:
Chris Gayle and the Vancouver Knights lifting the trophy! @GT20Canada #GT20Canada #Cricket #Champion #toronto #6sInThe6ix #presentation #trophy #ceremony #winners pic.twitter.com/EjQjfBXKRi
— Mustafa Ismail (@MustiMachine) July 16, 2018
Wijeyeratne was a part of a star-studded squad, that included international stars like Gayle, Ben Dunk, Andre Russell, Tim Southee, Cottrell, Fawad Ahmed and others. The wicket-keeper batsman would’ve had a lot to learn from these experienced players, even though he didn’t get a game in the tournament.
“It was amazing to be a part of the team that won the inaugural tournament. Although I didn’t get a chance to play, I’m glad to be in the record books and to work with an amazing bunch of guys from the coaches to the players from all across the world. I mean, it’s amazing how the coaching staff got 18 strangers to work together to achieve a common goal,” he said about being around some of the biggest names in the business.
“The experience was amazing. Never did I imagine that I would share a dressing room with Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Tim Southee, etc. Their professionalism on and off the field, and how they carry themselves amongst a busy schedule was amazing to see.” he said on a parting note.
We’re sure Wijeyeratne enjoyed his time at this tournament and as come out of it with plenty of positives. Read Scoops would like to thank him for taking the time out to talk to us and we also wish him the best of luck for his cricketing future. Don’t forget to follow him on Instagram here ? ?
– Dwayne Fernandes, Read Scoops
(Twitter – @dwayneeeboy, Instagram – @dwayneeeboy)
Complete cricketing interviews:
- Shreyas Iyer ??
- Sikandar Raza ??
- Hamza Tariq ??
- Uzayr Raja (IBB) ???????/??
- Atiq uz Zaman ??
- Safyaan Sharif ???????
