Kingswood take first innings lead over Dharmaraja
View(s):An improved Kingswood team came up with a bit of a stunner to take a 33 run first innings lead in their 110th Big Match against Dharmaraja at Pallekele. Thanidu Liyanage produced the big knock that helped his team to go past Dharmaraja’s 167. Skipper Ruwantha Hathurusinghe (36) and Dilshan Walisundera (38) also tamed the Rajan bowlers and produced bright knocks. Ruchira Pupulewatte, who scored 75 in the first innings, came up with another good knock of 46. Together with Udangamuwa, he added 54 for the first wicket.
Among the Rajan bowlers, Aludeniya, Rajapakse and Pupulewatte picked up three, three and two wickets respectively.
Dharmaraja, who had won the match four times in the last five years, received a not expected jolt. Dharmaraja 167 and 96 for 3 in 29.3 overs (Ruchira Pupelewatte 46, Bhavantha Udangamuwa 28, Nivantha Herath 13; Vimukthi Wijesiriwardena 1 for 40, Ganidu Kambugamuwa 1 for 2, Salinda Dharmasena 1 for 7) Kingswood 46 for 2 contd, 200 for 9 dec in 80.5 overs (Duleen Wijenarayan 11, Ruwantha Hathurusinghe 36, Tharundu Liyanage 56, DilshanWalisundera 38, Chaturanga Aludeniya 3 for 37, Asmitha Rajapakse 3 for 31, Ruchura Pupulewatte 2 for 18) - AK