St. Thomas’- St. Servatius heading for a draw
The 115th Battle of the Blues is heading for an inevitable draw with the Thomians ending the second day on 231 runs for the loss of five wickets in reply to the Servatian’s first innings score of 279 at the Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara yesterday.
The Servatians who were invited to take first lease of the wicket batted for almost four full sessions.
St. Servatius continuing from their overnight score of 233 for 7 lost night watchman Yuran Nimesh, the highest scorer of the innings in the first over of the day, for 58. Chamil Dhananjaya was unlucky to run out of partners and was unbeaten on 49. Lasith Lakshan captured four wickets while Dilum Krishan and Dilip Tharaka captured two wickets each.
Opener Nevindu Udesh gave the Thomians a solid start and was unfortunately run out for 55 scored off 58 balls with skipper Lasith Lakshan 30 and Prince Dalugoda 55 contributing with bat. The Thomian night-watchman was number three batsman Dilip Tharaka unbeaten on 82 scored off 204 balls and wicket-keeper Rusiru Akshaya yet to open his innings. Dilip Tharaka and Prince Dalugoda shared a 104 run partnership for the fourth wicket while Chanuka Dilshan captured two wickets. The match will end today.
The St. Servatius XI for this year’s encounter: Lochana Mohotti (Captain), Thushan Eranga, Ramesh Nimantha, Ashen Deemantha, Chanuka Dilshan, Kavindu Umesh, Rajantha Chandula, Thilan Kumara, Yuran Nimesha, Chamil Dhananjaya and Saviru Dhananjaya. The twelfth man was Pamod Weerasekera.The St. Thomas’ XI: Lasith Lakshan (Captain), Rusiru Akshaya, Nevindu Udesh, Osanda Chanupathi, Vidath Jayanidu, Dilum Krishan, Sasni Ahamed, Prince Dalugoda, Dileep Tharaka, Sanuth Pramuditha and Akila Thiwanka. The twelfth man was Raminda Pravinath.
Scoreboard
St. Servatius innings
Thilan Kumara run out 00
Lochana Mohotti lbw b Lakshan 31
Thushan Eranga b Lakshan 32
Ramesh Nimantha lbw b Krishan 20
Rajantha Chandula c Dalugoda b Udesh 27
Kavindu Umesh c Udesh b Lakshan 26
Yuran Nimesh c Udesh b Lakshan 58
Ashen Deemantha b Krishan 00
Chamil Dhananjaya not out 49
Saviru Dhananjaya c Akshaya b Tharaka 18
Chanuka Dilshan b Tharaka 00
Extras (b4, lb10, w3, nb1) 18
Total (all out: 108.5 overs) 279
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-51, 3-77, 4-103, 5-143, 6-147, 7-145, 8-234, 9-279
Bowling: Dilum Krishan 32.4-7-65-2, Osanda Chamupathi 5-1-8-0, Lasith Lakshan 34-3-90-4, Vidath Jayanidu 18.2-5-41-0, Dilip Tharaka 5.5-1-24-2, Nevindu Udesh 5-1-13-1, Akila Thiwanka 8-0-24-0
St. Thomas’ innings
Dilum Krishan b Mohotti 01
Nevindu Udesh run out 55
Dilip Tharaka not out 82
Lasith Lakshan c Nimantha b Dilshan 30
Prince Dalugoda run out 55
Sanuth Pramuditha lbw b Dilshan 03
Rusiru Akshaya not out 00
Extras (b2, lb1, w2) 05
Total (for 5 wicket; 69 overs) 231
Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-64, 3-116, 4-220, 5-229
Bowling: Lochana Mohotti 11-2-32-1, Thilan Kumara 10-3-36-0, Chamil Dhananjaya 10-1-37-0, Ashen Deemantha 17-1-48-0; Chanuka Dilshan 19.4-1-68-2, Ramesh Nimantha 1.2-0-7-0