Match 3 at the Foundation of Goodness Lord's MCC ground

After the first night of sleep in the Citrus Hotel, we met for an 8 o clock breakfast to fuel ourselves for the match ahead. There was a refreshingly short journey of just 10 minutes to the ground compared to the 2 hours it took to travel to the last games. The ground itself was aptly named "Lords" considering the standard of cricket that was displayed and the wet weather that was experienced! It was the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, as it has indoor nets, a pavilion and even a fan to keep the Gary and the other scorer cool!

On arrival we met a team of young ladies who were between the ages of 15-25, all of whom had been affected in some way by the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 (either losing one or both parents when they were just 6-13 years of age, or come from poor backgrounds as a result of the tsunami). The Foundation of Goodness had been since helping them with schooling, running sports teams and providing the kit. The foundation had produced many great sportsmen and women since being set up, including the Sri Lankan women's current wicket keeper and opening batter.

After putting the cricket bags into the changing rooms the girls began their warm up and Strody won the toss, meaning we were batting first. Shortly into the start of the game, the girls were surrounded by a group of local school children who found us all very interesting. They particularly liked Maud who spent over an hour playing cricket with them on the side of the pitch, only stopping when the 3rd wicket fell and she had to find her helmet and walk to the wicket. Maud was given out LBW after 20 overs but opening bat Georgia was still standing even though she had not been feeling well at the start of the game - the runs were working for her! However after getting bowled by a leg spinner, many wickets followed and we were bowled out for 81 off 30 overs.

Almost as soon as the last bowl of the first innings was bowled a heavy shower began and the girls stayed outside to cool down! Their antics included playing with the nerf rocket which drew attention from the other side, who all ended up joining in! Both sides retired to the stands to have group photograph and then taught each other some songs in their own languages (including the Macarena and "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" from the English and a local  chant from the Sri Lankans), finally with a Conga line taking them to the side screen which acted as a stage for their dance off!

For over an hour it chucked it down and it looked like the game would be cancelled. Andrea got more soaked by David than the rain as he spat his water all over her when he sneezed! Although Maud was undoubtedly even more wet as she decided (contradicting T-Dogs orders) to belly slide along the water-logged outfield.

The covers were removed and the second innings commenced. Openers Emilia and Strody created pressure, with Emilia getting 2 wickets in her 4 overs. However Charlbury struggled to get the next two wickets and a partnership between two of the Foundations side began. This was only broken when rain stopped play once again and the match was abandoned, resulting in the first draw of the tour!

As the team only played just over 40 overs of the expected 80 during the day, they had to let off some steam. With the exception of 3, every one of the English rushed to the pool and continued to play (pool) cricket with the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach just 20 meters away from them.

Written beautifully by Martha & Julie