SLC Super Provincial Tournament: High scoring draws
SLC SUPER PROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Super Provincial Tournament matches pitting the cream of talent between Galle and Colombo and Dambulla and Kandy ended in testing draws. In both encounters batsmen called the tune with a double centurion in Roshen Silva and five centurions in Lahiru Thirimanne, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella, Sachithra Senanayake and Mahela Udawatte.
At the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Suriyawewa, Galle posted an imposing 476 spearheaded by a mammoth unbeaten 231 by Roshen Silva in 392 balls packed with 16 boundaries supported by 95 by Dasun Shanaka off 157 with 8 hits to the ropes. Colombo replied with 333 on the back of a timely unbeaten 125 by Lahiru Thirimanne off 258 balls containing 8 boundaries. Dananjaya de Silva chipped in with 66 off 59 hitting 13 boundaries. Galle were 177 for 3 in the second essay when the match ended prematurely due to bad weather after tea. Sadeera Samarawickrema top scored for Galle in the second essay with 77 (139b, 8×4) while B.K.E.L. Milantha was unbeaten on 74 (160b, 7×4).
At the FTZ grounds, Katunayake, it was another high scoring affair with Dambulla, batting first running up 480 on a top score of 156 off 239 balls by Ashan Priyanjan who struck 18 boundaries while Sachithra Senanayake also stroked 105 off 109 balls inclusive of 11 boundaries and 4 sixes. Kandy responded with 364 with Niroshan Dickwella in the century act with 112 off 154 containing 10 hits to the fence. Angelo Perera made 62 off 118 with 7 boundaries. Lahiru Gamage picked up 5 wickets for 71.
Dambulla were restricted to 256 in the second innings Milinda Siriwardena top scoring with 71 off 118 stroking 8 boundaries. C.A.K. Rajitha claimed 3 for 49 and Shehan Jayasuriya 2 for 39. Sachithra Senanayake once again came good with the bat top scoring for Dambulla with 60 (84b, 4×4, 2×6).
Chasing a target of 373 Kandy were 221 for 2 in 56.2 overs at the close of play with Mahela Udawatte hitting an unbeaten 103 off 137 balls packed with 11 boundaries Dickwella was again in good ni.ck with an unbeaten 56 off 88 balls containing 3 boundaries.
Chief Scores:
At the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium – Galle vs. Colombo match drawn
Galle 476 141 Overs)
(A.R.S. Silva 231, Dasun Shanaka 95, P.C. de Silva 47, K. Anjula 2/52, M.D.K. Perera 3/106, L. Ambuldeniya 2/147)
And 177/3
(S. Samarawickrema 77, B.K.E.L. Milantha n.o. 74, M.V.T. Fernando 2/24).
Colombo 333 (95.5 Overs)
H.D.R.L. Thirimanne n.o. 125, D. de Silva 66, K. Anjula 46, L. Ambuldeniya 24, A. Dananjaya 3/61, P.C. de Silva 2/22).
At FTZ Grounds, Katunayake – Kandy vs. Dambulla – Match drawn
Dambulla 480 (109.4 Overs)
(S.M.A Priyanjan 156, S.M.S.M. Senanayake 105.F.D.M. Karunaratne 71, D.M. Sarathchandra 57, H.I.A. Jayaratne 35, C.A.K. Rajitha 3/89, C.B.R.L.S. Kumara 3/105, C. Karunaratne 2/80)).
And 256 (65.5 Overs)
(T.A.M. Siriwardena 71, S.M.S.M. Senanayake 60, C.B.R.L.S. Kumara 3/61, N.G.R.P. Jayasuriya 2/39)
Kandy 364 (104.2 Overs)
(N. Dickwella 112, P.A.R.P. Perera 62, K.I.C. Asalanka 30, P.L.S. Gamage 5/71, S.C. Serasinghe 2/39).
And 221/2 (56.2 Overs)
(M.L. Udawatte 103, N. Dickwella n.o. 56, K.I.C. Asalanka 30).
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-
