RCS Cricket Match 30 November 2025: Commonwealth Team wins Muttukumara Trophy
On a beautiful final Spring day on Sunday 30 November, with a mixture of light showers and sun, the traditional RCS sponsored Commonwealth v DFAT cricket match was held after a prolonged break.
The two teams from Commonwealth High Commissions in Canberra (with representation from the UK, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand) and officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) vied for the Muttukumara Shield, originally donated by Sri Lanka High Commissioner Major General Anton Muttukumara some 60 years ago.
Congratulations to the Commonwealth team for their victory with the final score Commonwealth XI 5/185 against DFAT XI 8/157 in the T20 format match.
We were honoured by the presence of General Muttukumara’s son Tony who himself played in the match in earlier days. He supported RCS President Hon Professor Matthew Neuhaus and Sri Lankan High Commissioner HE Yasoja Gunasekera in presenting the trophy to the winning Commonwealth side.
For the first time a new trophy for the runners up, a fine willow cricket bat made and donated by Shashi Samprathi, was presented to the DFAT team.
$691 was also raised from this charity match for the LBW (Learning for a Better World) Trust, a cricket community supported organisation bringing cricket and education to disadvantaged communities. We were honoured to have LBW Co-Chair Paul Singer, former Official Secretary to the Governor General, at the match. He presented a cricket ball signed by Australian Captain Pat Cummins to the winning captain, Umer Saleem from the British High Commission.
Our great thanks to the DFAT Social Club, Cricket ACT, IAMSA, the Sri Lankan High Commission and the many participants and supporters who helped to make the day such a success. A special mention to Kanti Jinna for being an inspiration throughout. We look forward to this cricket tradition and the great Commonwealth sporting spirit it embodies continuing for years to come.
Report by: Matthew Neuhaus
