The three Big Matches played in Kandy all ended in draws, but there were varying degrees of excitement. It could truly be said that in two games a team had an outside chance of forcing a win but ultimately showed a lack of resolve and inability to seize the moment.
Action from the Trinity-St. Anthony’s encounter at Asgiriya. |
When the Anthonians were bowled out for a meager 126, one expected Trinity to pile it on and heap further pressure on the demoralized visitors.
The acceleration came on the second morning, primarily from Suresh Wickrema who cut and swept his way to an unbeaten 42. Akila Jayasundera played several meaty shots in his aggressive twenty. The persevering Reyal grabbed five, but went for four an over.
The Anthonian star Hiran Wickremasekera fell cheaply once more as did Reyal who bagged a pair. At 113 for 7, the Anthonian lead was a mere 37. But Trinity fell flat in the mandatory overs.
The killer instinct, the urge to make things happen and the intensity of conflict were missing. This enabled the Anthonians to scramble out with a draw in a game seventy five per cent of which was dominated by Trinity.
Aravinda Premaratne was the shining light for the visitors with two obdurate and determined knocks of 28 – the second one, not out. Had Premaratne departed early, especially in the second innings, the Anthonian goose would have been well and truly cooked.
The mighty midget Sandun Weerakkodi bludgeoned a quick-fire, unbeaten 130 to help the Rajans make a tea-time declaration at 313 for 5. Well as he played, one cannot escape the feeling that by not bowling the off spinner at the left hander, the Kingswood lads provided Weerakkodi with plenty of easy pickings.
From that point on, it was catch up cricket all the way from Kingswood. To their credit, the middleorder – especially Madushan and Weerakoon – and a few tail-enders showed the necessary application to guide them over the line. (in this case the follow-on target).
The Rajans indulged in a farcical run chase and declared at 102 for 8. Kingswood had to make 200 in about 32 overs. Run making was never on, and they gladly settled for a draw at 80 for 5. This time around, Yasindu Atukorale stood firm to pre-empt any fond hopes the Rajans may have entertained of fashioning an unlikely win.
Nilusha Galapitige’s half-century helped Vidyartha to total 191 – a decent enough total. But the Sylvestrians showed that they had depth to their batting by amassing 268 for 7.
Half tons by front liners Ruwantha Ekanayake and Dileepa Gayeshan provided some excitement.
Spinner Ushan Wickremasinghe (an interesting case of a player who represented Vidyartha, left and represented another school, only to come back to his former school!) bowled best.
The Vidyartha batting was a shambles second time around, and at one stage they led by a mere ten runs with only two wickets in hand. But defensive heroics from the ninth wicket pair of Keshan Gamage and Tilina Rupasena saved their blushes.
With this draw, Vidyartha continue to search for that victory that has eluded them since 1968.
The Sylvestrians, who had quite a disastrous season, ended it on a better note.
A Big Match victory was theirs for the taking but over excitement and anxiety saw them failing to deliver the knock-out punch. |
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