Dimuth steers Kandurata-Uva Combined
View(s):Inter-Provincial Cricket
Sri Lanka Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne shone for Kandurata-Uva Combined with a knock of 80 helping Kandurata-Uva to record a comfortable 80 runs win over Basnahira in the Inter-Provincial cricket Limited Overs encounter at Braybrooke Place yesterday.Dimuth’s knock, which came in 108 balls, comprised six boundaries and a six as he shouldered his side’s responsibility when they were losing wickets after skipper Thilina Kandamby won the toss and elected to bat first.
Kandurata-Uva opener Dimuth Karunaratne smashes a shot on the off during his knock of 80 against Basnahira at Moors ground. - Pic by Ranjith Perera
Kandurata-Uva Combined fell into deep trouble as they lost two quick wickets before the completion of six overs; the wickets they lost were that of Thilan Samaraweera and Kaushal Silva.
Dimuth along with Dilhan Cooray came to the rescue of Kandurata-Uva when the side was struggling at 63 for 4 in the 16th over. The pair added a valuable 92 runs for the fifth wicket but the side lost their way again when they were separated.
Apart from Sachithra Senanayake who made a 37 ball score of 43, inclusive of five boundaries and two sixes, the late order batting was unable to make any headway and was bowled out for 214 with four overs still intact.
Basnahira in their run chase was given a sedate start of 37 runs by openers Mahela Udawatte and T.N. Sampath. But from there on they struggled to come to terms against spinner Dulanjana Mendis.
They were no where near to reach the target as Mendis, along with pacie Dilahara Fernando, combined to send them reeling to 134 to give Kandurata-Uva Combined their second win of the tournament.
Ruhuna coming out for the first time was guided by an unbeaten 63 by Ashan Priyanjan which helped them to record a convincing seven wickets win over Uthura-Neganahira Combined in another match of the same tournament played at the R. Premadasa Stadium.Ashan’s knock which came off 72 balls comprised six boundaries and he was involved in a third wicket stand of 83 runs with Indika de Saram enabling Ruhuna, who were chasing 171 runs for victory, to reach the target in the 35th over.
Earlier in the day Uthura-Neganahira skipper Kaushalya Weeraratne won the toss and elected to bat but fell into deep trouble and was struggling at 65 for 4 in the 20th over.
The late order batting put in some resistance which helped them make a respectable 170 in their allotted 50 overs which in the end was insufficient to defend.
At Braybrooke Place
Kandurata-Uva Combined 214 in 44.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 80, Sachithra Senanayake 43, Dilhan Cooray 33, Bhanuka Rajapakse 28; Ishan Jayaratne 3 for 33, Malinda Warnapura 2 for 23, Sachithra Serasinghe 2 for 43, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2 for 49)
Basnahira 134 all out in 35.3 overs (Mahela Udawatte 35, Kithruwan Vithanage 24, Malinda Warnapura 20, Sachithra Serasinghe 18; Dulanjana Mendis 5 for 33, Dilhara Fernando 3 for 17)
At R. Premadasa Stadium
Uthura-Nagenahira Combined 170 for 8 in 50 overs (Sameera de Zoysa 37, Udara Jayasundara 32, Milinda Siriwardena 31, Kaushalya Weeraratne 21, Saliya Saman 21; Dilhara Lokuhettige 2 for 19, Janaka Gunaratne 2 for 28)
Ruhuna 171 for 3 in 34.4 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 39, Indika de Saram 32, Gayan Manishan 18, Ashan Priyanjan 63 n.o.) -
- MSA
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