Australian High Commission
Colombo
MEDIA RELEASE
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9 September 2011
Australian team plays cricket with disadvantaged children
Ahead of the Second Test against Sri Lanka, the visiting Australian cricket team took time out to play a friendly cricket match with group of disadvantaged children in
Kandy.
The event was organised by the Child Action Lanka and the Australian High
Commission. Forty children between the ages of 4 and 17 came along to meet some of their sporting idols. Australian Captain, Michael Clarke, said that he and his team mates were pleased to be able to put a smile on the children’s faces and support the great work being done by Child Action Lanka.
Michael Clarke led one team, while Kingswood scholarship recipient, Krishantha, led
the other team, which also included the likes of Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson.
The boys were keen to impress their cricketing heroes and there was some big hits and inspired fielding by many of the children. At the end of the match, the Australian
team presented a signed Test match shirt and posed for photographs with the children.
Deborah Edirisinghe, who manages the Kandy centre, thanked the Australian team for sharing their time and said that “this experience would be remembered by many of the children as one of the best days of their lives”.
Child Action Lanka reaches out to over 300 underprivileged children in three cities in Sri Lanka. Their centres are staffed by volunteers and they help clothe, feed, educate and care for kids from 2 to 18 years of age.
For media enquiries please contact Nazreen Marikkar on 0112 463243.