Nuwanidu shines for Sebs in drawn game
St. Sebastian's batsman Mishane Perera reaches his half century with a six - Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara
Nuwanidu Fernando shone with a top knock of 77 for St Sebastian’s on day two as their annual 67th Battle of the Gold’s encounter against traditional rivals Prince of Wales fizzled out to a draw at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa yesterday.
As in the first day the match was marred by bad light when Prince of Wales batting the second time was on 41 for 1 having faced eight overs.
The writing on the wall was there when play ended on day one with the Cambrians having taken first lease of the wicket and ending their innings making 230 after which the match called off.
St Sebastian’s batting on day two started the day with the openers Malintha Peiris and deputy skipper Nimesh Bandara making a sedate start of 38 runs.
Cambrians right arm pacie Tharuka Fernando who made the breakthrough later made Sebs batsmen struggle for their runs in the pre-lunch session as he bagged three scalps and was supported by wicketkeeper and skipper Vishwa Chathuranga as the Sebs went into the lunch break on 120 for 5.
Nuwanidu whose knock came off 87 balls that included eight boundaries and four sixes came to the rescue of his side as he along with Tharusha Fernando who chipped in with a 40 put on a valuable 87 runs for the sixth wicket.
But the late order batting faltered as the Sebs lost their remaining four wickets for the addition of just 29 runs being bowled out for 221.
The opening day’s proceedings saw Prince of Wales skipper Vishwa Chathuranga being the cynosure of all eyes when he cracked 88 and associated in a 100 runs opening wicket stand with Sandun Fernando for the Cambrians to make 230.
| Scoreboard Prince of Wales 1st innings 230 (Vishwa Chathuranga 88, Dilanka Maduranga 32, Sanjaya Fernando 24: Praveen Jayawickrama 5 for 62, Tharusha Fernando 2 for 17, Nuwanidu Fernando 2 for 39) St. Sebastian’s 1st innings Prince of Wales 2nd innings |