Colombo and Dambulla maiden wins: Thirimanne welcome return to form as Chandimal, Munaweera hit ...
SLC Super Provincial Tournament that recommenced after the festival break did produce an upset win in Colombo toppling Kandy in a comprehensive 106-run triumph at the NCC grounds yesterday Monday. The result was significant for Colombo in registering a maiden win in three games having tied one and lost one. For Kandy that had mounted its campaign on a high note winning the first two games in style against ,It was a momentum losing result in the wake of the fine back to back victory take off that had put Kandy in the box seat.
Of course, the high pleasing factor for Colombo was the return to form of former Sri Lanka vice captain Lahiru Thirimanne in a game that saw his Sri Lanka colleague Dinesh Chandimal come to the party with a top score of 76. If Chandimal, the incumbent Sri Lanka vice captain took the top score honours, however, it was the left handed Thirimanne who set up the facile victory in an upfront 86-run effort for the wicket opening the batting with the enterprising Dilshan Munaweera who made 52. For, Thirimanne, who has been fighting bad form for sometime, it was indeed a great comeback effort in a calculated, sedate stay at the wicket spanning 73 balls and containing 3 boundaries. That he was third out with the total on 126 did reflect a marked comeback resolve by the stylish former Prince of Wales batsman who has played many a praiseworthy innings for his country on the international stage. The game also marked a notable form ascendancy by Chandimal who has scored consistently in the home Bangladesh series that he has now translated to the domestic scenario having scored a century in the first tied match for Colombo.
Meanwhile, Dilshan Munaweera too continued to be among the runs that earned him a national call up at T20 level. Among the bowlers, Hasaranga 3/37 and Sachithra Senanayake 3/39 were the main wreckers with Dilshan Munaweera also chipping in with 2/18.
In the other game between Dambulla and Galle, Harsha Cooray continued to be among the runs in the wake of his century in the previous game against Kandy. He stroked a half century to help Dambulla to a 1- wicket win at the Dambulla Stadium. It was a tough call for Dambulla in chasing down Galle’s 250 for 8 wickets off 50 overs as wickets kept falling. But Cooray stood up to lead the way. Galle was bolstered by Chathuranga de Silva who top scored with 56. The win saw Dambulla record their first win having tied one game and lost to Kandy in a high scoring game. Galle has one win to its credit having pulled off a huge 188-run win over Colombo.
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
