Dharmaraja did everything but beat Kingswood and end a 29 year old jinx in their drawn 104th Big Match at Asgiriya.
Sandun Weerakkodi’s brilliant 94 ball knock of 130 not out (4x18) ensured that the Rajans had runs aplenty to declare by tea-time.
Kingswood were on the back-foot from that time on and only defiant batting from Weerakoon, Madushan, Dharmaperuma, Gunasekera and Gannoruwa helped them to avert the follow on by three runs.
The Rajans indulged in a crazy run chase in their second knock and declared at 102-8, with Ekanayake being the only one to bat sensibly.
200 in 32 overs was the target but the Kingswood lads were happy to play out time. Yasindu Atukorale played a sterling knock of 29 not out.
Dharmaraja 315 for 4 in 57 overs (R. Yapa Bandara 42, K. Wijekoon 30, S. Kalubowila 40, S. Weerakkodi 130 n.o, P. Silva 32, R. Ekanayake 31 n.o; L. Madushan 2 for 73). and 102 for 8 dec in 14.4 overs (S. Weerakkodi 20, P. Silva 20, R. Ekanayake 47 n.o; L. 25)
Kingswood 218 in 81.5 overs (I. Rabel 13, N. Weerakoon 46, H. Dharmaperuma 20, L. Madushan 47, C. Gunasekera 22, L. Gannoruwa 27; R. Ekanayake 4 for 62, R.Y. Bandara 3 for 38) and 80 for 5 in 32 overs (U. Hettige 14, Y. Atukorale 29 n.o; H. Munaweera 2 for 12).
Man of the Match – Sandun
Weerakkodi.
Kegalle’s Big Match too ends in draw
Two brilliant batting efforts featured Kegalle’s drawn Big Match between St. Mary’s and Kegalu Vidyalaya at the Kegalle Esplanade.
Vidyalaya skipper Roshan Weerasinghe who has been in excellent form all season scored an attractive 130 out of his team’s total of 251 for 8.
Not to be outdone, Malinda Gunaratne took up the challenge and came up with a fighting 95 that helped them to overtake their opponent’s score.
Gunaratne won the Man of the Match award.
Kegalu Vidyalaya 251 for 8 dec in 71.3 overs (C. Weerasinghe 30, R. Weerasinghe 130, V. Thilakasiri 25, K. Bandaranaike 30; K. Galdeniya 3 for 33, M. Gunaratne 3 for 42) and 150 for no loss in eight overs.
St. Mary’s 253 for 8 dec in 81 overs (M. Herath 29, M. Gunaratne 95, K. Lakmal 49, C. Denipitiya 30; A. Balasuriya 2 for 65, D. Abeyratne 4 for 55)
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