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Days 11, 12 and 13, Final match for each team & journey home

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  Days 11, 12 and 13, Final match for each team & journey home: Kunal Muhambrey scores century in final 1 st XI game               The days have flown by, and now all that is left on our trip is our last match and our long journey back to England. With the boys finally flagging on Day 11, breakfast was a slow affair, but they managed to muster their strength and leave on time for their respective fixtures. The 1 st XI would be playing at the Moratuwa De Soysa stadium, and the 2 nd XI made the short journey to the MCC Lords ground in Hikkaduwa.               The 2 nd XI faced a strong opposition in the “FOG Academy”, and the game proved to be their most difficult challenge yet. Again, the start was delayed because of a damp square, and with no Sri Lankan super soaker on hand, it was down to the weather to harden the wicket. An hour later, the Sri Lankans had elected to bat and our boys were preparing to f
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Days 9 and 10, Coral Sands Hotel and 2 more matches

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Days 9 & 10, Coral Sands Hotel and 2 more matches: 1 st XI Beach Cricket on Day 10               Our final leg of the tour was spent at the Coral Sands Hotel in Hikkaduwa, just north of the historic city of Galle. Situated on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a popular destination for holidaymakers owing to its glorious beaches, seaside restaurants and scenic hotels. From our temporary abode, we would travel far and wide to games in previously visited stadiums, as well as new ones in close proximity. The motorway was, fortunately, in action, despite the vast number of peacocks, cows and stray dogs that seem to wander down it!               On day 9, the 1 st XI travelled 5 minutes to the MCC Lords ground to face the “FOG Academy”, and the 2 nd XI went back to the Maratuwa De Soysa Stadium, where they had been previously successful, to play against the British International School. The monsoon
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Day 8, Journey to Hikkaduwa via Matara and Galle

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Day 8, Journey to Hikkaduwa via Matara and Galle: George Politis, Alex Barker, Harry Whitehurst… and some rather snazzy trousers!               It was another early start for our boys on Day 8 in preparation for our journey to the south-west coast of Sri Lanka to the Coral Sands Hotel in Hikkaduwa. But before we left Udawalawe, we had one more chance to see elephants feeding in transit. Once Mr Miles was satisfied that we had our full complement ready to go – any excuse to count; he loves counting – we took the bus only a few hundred yards down the road to discover a hidden sanctuary for elephants. There were over 40 elephants and baby elephants (more counting, more fun) casually having their breakfast and bathing in the morning sun. We also found an even rarer sight which was a photo opportunity not to be missed: two rather happy Burnley fans after The Clarets win the night before. What are the chances of that!?
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Day 7, Sooriyawewa International Stadium for Game 3

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Day 7, Sooriyawewa International Stadium for Game 3: 1 st XI at the Sooriyawewa International Stadium It was time for Day 7, and also time for the highly anticipated visit to the Sooriyawewa International Stadium in Hambantota. The ground, which is also known less commonly as the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, was only 30 minutes from the hotel and was built for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. It only hosted 2 games at this event, and has been sparingly used for international T20s since. Having narrowly avoiding monitor lizards enjoying their breakfast on the roads, we arrived at the 35,000 seater stadium with time to spare, allowing the boys to wander around the facility and enjoy the morning sun.   Sam Regan, Alex Thorpe, Matthew Still-Blundell, Adam Weston, Kunal Muhambray               Today our boys were up against sterner – and even beardier! – opposition, so it was important that Mr Sutcli
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