Madhya Pradesh recorded an emphatic 26-run wins over Chilaw Marians in their first Twenty20 tour game at Braybrooke Place yesterday. A captain's knock of 70 by Devendra Bundela and a four-wicket haul by paceman Anand Rajan set up Madhya Pradesh a justified victory in a high-scoring game which kicked off at 2.00 p.m. Chilaw Marians were bowled out for 151 in reply to Madhya Pradesh's score of 177.
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| Madhya Pradesh skipper Devendra Bundela drives during his stormy knock of 70 watched by Chilaw Marians skipper and wicketkeeper Harsha Cooray at Moors SC ground yesterday. (Pic by Amila Prabodha) |
Electing to bat first Madhya Pradesh clobbered 177 runs for the loss of nine wickets as skipper Bundela reached a hurricane 70 off 36 balls. The Indian Ranji Trophy side was on it's way to a possible total of 200 runs if not for the middle-order collapse which was caused by Marians' off-spinner Umesh Karunaratne.
The visitors were down at 44 for 2 at one stage but Bundela got together with Udit Birla to form a formidable total as the pair formed a partnership of 102 runs for the third wicket. Bundela, hit eight elegant boundaries and four towering sixes while Birla who faced 34 balls for his quick 42 hit three fours and a couple of sixes. Karunartne finished with figures of four wickets for 29 runs.
Chilaw Marians in their chase were forced to guard the grips as they lost their top four wickets before the total reached 23 runs. But a fruitful partnership of 55 runs for the fifth wicket between Geeth Kumara and Harsha Cooray helped the local club to gain back the momentum. However Rajan who claimed four wickets for 23 runs ensured his team with a win. Kumara scored 52 in 36 balls with four boundaries and three sixes and Cooray hit 39 in 26 balls with three fours and two sixes. Madhya Pradesh will play against SLC Board XI in their second Twenty20 tour game at Braybrooke Place today.
Madhya Pradesh 177 for 9 wickets (20) (Devendra Bundela 70, Udit Birla 42, Abbas Ali 26; Umesh Karunaratne 4/29, Janaka Gunaratne 2/27, Vimukthi Perera 2/27)
Chilaw Marians 151 all out (19.2) (Geeth Kumara 52, Harsha Cooray 39; Anand Rajan 4/23, Amkit Sharma 2/31) |
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