Murali magic steers Jaffna Central to victory
Following his match-bag of 12 wickets earlier, a spirited and match-winning knock by all-rounder Murali Thison helped Jaffna Central College make a fine comeback to record a 3-wicket win over traditional rivals St. John’s College, Jaffna in the 119th Battle of North big match concluded at the Jaffna Central ground yesterday.
Murali, who claimed 5 for 39 in St. John’s first innings of 119 with his left-arm fast bowling, continued the perfect form to snatch 7 for 78 when their opponents posted 223 for the second innings and set Jaffna Central to chase an unlikely target of 248 runs with nearly five sessions remaining. After being bundled out for 95 in the first innings, the target looked even unachievable when they were badly placed on 120-6 at stumps on the second day, with only four low-order wickets in hand.
But an unbeaten knock of 81 off 126 balls, inclusive of eight boundaries and a six, changed the entire course of the game, and gave Jaffna Central a glim of hope. It was when Murali stood tall, and steered his side by associating in two valuable partnerships. First, a brief 37-run stand for the seventh wicket with Iyathure Kabishek (21), followed with an unbroken match-winning stand of 93 runs for the eighth wicket with Jesuthasan Nitharsan. Nitharshan remained unbeaten on 44 in 38 balls inclusive of five boundaries and two sixes, when his side went past the winning post.
This was the 30th win of the series for Jaffna Central, who won last in 2023, but St. John’s still lead the series with 40 wins. The two sides will play their 23rd limited over encounter on March 14 at the St. John’s ground, where the Johnians lead the series with 12 wins to the 10 by Centralites. Jaffna Central won the previous two matches and will be aiming their third consecutive win.
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Jaffna Central 2nd innings (120-6 overnight) |