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It was an experience of a lifetime for the less affluent boys and girls at SOS Children's Village when they had the rare opportunity of spending an evening with their sporting heroes, the Australian, Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers at Taj Samudra Hotel.

Facing the leg breaks of Australian spin wizard Shane Warne, bowling to Sri Lankan master batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and having a word with Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar were some of the memorable moments for the children from SOS at Piliyandala.

The event was organised by the Taj Samudra Hotel, in association with the SOS Children's Villages of Sri Lanka to raise funds for social projects. While the SOS Village children were special invitees, the other city children were admitted for a ticket priced at Rs. 100 and the proceeds were in aid of SOS Children's Village.

The national cricket teams playing in the current Aiwa Cup triangular tournament - Sri Lanka, Australia and India, found time off their busy schedule to take part in this worthy venture.

It was nice seeing the reigning world champions Australia and two former World champion teams Sri Lanka and India, mixing with those less fortunate children, who enjoyed every moment of the wonderful evening they had. They not only talked freely to their cricketing heroes, but also has a session of cricket.

Tears came to the eyes of the world cricket heroes as they saw the smiling faces of the poor children, who faced the leg spin of Shane Warne and several other bowlers and bowled at their champion batsmen - Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh and the rest.

The Australian captain Steve Waugh was so emotional when he came across a resident of SOS Village at Anuradhapura, little Wasantha Kumara, who has been a great follower of the game. Waugh finally gave his cricket cap to Kumara, a present which could not be valued in money for this little boy.

There were many autographs for the cricketing heroes to sign but they obliged each and everyone.