Dinesh Chandimal continues century run vein as Colombo clinch title
SLC Super Provincial Tournament 2017
Sri Lanka batsman Dinesh Chandimal rose to the occasion to hog the limelight with a match winning unbeaten century to steer Colombo to a the SLC Super provincial Tournament 2017 title by defeating Galle by a massive 137 runs in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
It was indeed a well won title by Colombo having brushed off an early rustiness that had been a backseat early setback having trailed Kandy at the start of the tournament. It was literally Chandimal’s tournament given the batsman ship the right hander produced in reeling off a century trait that was a swaying dominative factor in guiding his side to the title. Galle posted a massive 307 for 8 wickets in 50 over’s.
Chandimal’s unbeaten 113 after Colombo batted first was not only a cup winning feature, but also a self lifting buoying form factor in the last one month or so that has seen the NCC batsman in a handsome run glut that started against the visiting Bangladesh. Since then Chandimal has significantly cut a niche in having transcended his form to the next level; the next level that stands batsmen in good stead in competitive top flight international cricket. That he carried away the Man of the Tournament award was the best testament of a transformed batter that would be a high morale booster for both self and country as Sri Lanka mounts the 2017 Champions Trophy stakes in England commencing on June 1.
The cup title coming Colombo’s way also saw all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya’s consistent contribution both with bat and ball that fittingly culminated with a superb 77 in the crunch match in lending Chandimal invaluable support.
Galle, in turn, lost its way with its most consistent performer during the tournament young Sadeera Samarawickrema falling for 29. Chathuranga De Silva was the top scorer with 34 which reflected the stranglehold Colombo’s bowlers had with all-rounder Thisara Perera leading the way with 4 wickets for 42 as Galle was bowled out for 170 in 30.3 over’s. Of course, Sadeera Samarawickrema did have the consolation of taking the Best Batsman of the Tournament award.
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-
