Samarawickrama century blitz takes Galle in to final
Young batting prodigy Sadeera Samarawickrema has got everything right with the bat, and his match winning 120 against Dambulla.in the must win match to take Galle to the final of the 2017 Super Provincial Tournament yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium would go down as the ultimate; the ultimate to going the distance to have booked a place in the Sri Lanka’s Champions Trophy squad. Indeed, the Sri Lanka A star and Colts CC, and former St. Joseph’s College opening batsman could well consider himself quite unfortunate; unfortunate that the dictates of the form book did not realize the obvious dream ticket to jet it across to the England destination where instant cricket’s showpiece June 1 to 18 event next to the world cup has become the big countdown.
It was Samarawickrema’s day as he helped Galle to a massive 362 for 7 wickets in 50 overs. Galle did showcase batting depth also courtesy former Anandian Sammu Ashan (53), Dasun Shanaka (49 not out) and Seekuge Prasanna 36.
It put Dambulla out of the game with the asking rate proving far too much for the top order to tackle. Ashan Priyanjan top scored with an unbeaten 50 with Sri Lanka star Kusal Mendis making 23. Chathuranga de Silva was Galle’s main wicket taker with 3 for 20, and supported by by Akila Dananjaya 2 for 23 and Dasun Shanaka 2 for24.
Dambulla 141 (31.3) (Ashan Priyanjan 50*, Kusal Mendis 23, Chathuranga de Silva 3/20, Akila Dananjaya 2/23, Dasun Shanaka 2/24)
Chief scores:
Galle 362/7 (50) (Sadeera Samarawickrama 120, Sammu Ashan 53, Dasun Shanaka 49*, Seekuge Prasanna 36, Minod Bhanuka 25, Dimuth Karunarathne 22, Asitha Fernando 4/62)
Dambulla 141 (31.3) (Ashan Priyanjan 50*, Kusal Mendis 23, Chathuranga de Silva 3/20, Akila Dananjaya 2/23, Dasun Shanaka 2/24)
Galle won by 221 runs
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-
