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On the occasion of the presentation to the West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) of a specially mounted autographed bat of the victorious 1996 World Cup winning team, the President of the WACA, Brian Rakich hosted a luncheon function at the WACA ground.

The function was attended by the Hon. Consul for Sri Lanka, Mr. Frank Crawley and the President of the Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala and some members of the Sri Lankan team. Others included the leader of the Opposition of the WA Government, Dr. Geoff Gallop, Mr. Hallam Perera representing the Minister of Sport, Bruce Yardley and Darry Foster of the University of WA, who is assisting with the coaching of the Sri Lankan team.

In extending a warm welcome to Mr. Sumathipala and the Sri Lankan team, Mr. Rakich spoke of the great bond of friendship that existed between the WACA and Sri Lanka, especially through the involvement of Bruce Yardley and Darrel Foster of the WA cricketing fraternity with Sri Lankan cricket. Mr. Rakich also made special mention of the cricketing prowess of Pat McCarthy, an illustrious Sri Lankan cricketer, who as an expatriate who represented Western Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket during the period 1950-54. Pat, who was a pioneer of Sri Lankan-Australian cricket relations, was unable to be present because of failing health.

Mr. Rakich also spoke glowingly of Sri Lanka's tremendous World Cup victory against Australia in 1996 and of the wonderful individual talents within the Sri Lankan team such as Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda De Silva.

Reciprocating the kind gesture of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, Mr. Rakich made a presentation of the History of the WACA, written by Prof. Tony Barker, on behalf of the WACA to Mr. Sumathipala of the Sri Lankan Cricket board.

In thanking Mr. Rakich, Mr. Sumathipala paid tribute to the services rendered by Australian cricketing personalities such as Dave Whatmore, Bruce Yardley and Darrel Foster. He also foreshadowed the possibility of a bi-annual cricketing exchange between the WA State team and the Sri Lanka cricket team. He felt that such an arrangement would be mutually beneficial and help to cement further the cordial relations that have existed between the Australian Cricket Board and the BCCSL.