Komasaru grabs 4/9 to help Team Maroons
View(s):by P D de Silva
Matara Super League T20
Left arm leg spinner Chanaka Komasaru captured four wickets for nine runs in his allotment of four overs to help Team Maroons comprising of past cricketers of St Thomas College Matara defeat Team Green comprising of past cricketers of big match rivals St Servatius College by 28 runs with 16 balls to spare to clinch the championship trophy at the inaugural Matara Super League T20 Championship. The Matara Super League T20 cricket tournament was organized by the Matara District Cricket Association to identify players who could represent Matara Sports Club in the Sara Trophy Division One Cricket Tournament next season. Twelve teams drawn in four groups played a league tournament to qualify for the quarter final round. Team Green beat Matara Stars by 64 runs to enter the final while Team Maroons downed Sportec Blasters by five wickets to reach the final.
Electing to bat first Team Maroons scored 122 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Contracted player Vikum Sanjaya Bandara topped the score card with an unbeaten 30 while Ashan Ranasinghe (15) and Indika de Saram (14) were the other two to enter double figures. Nimanda Subasinghe was rewarded with four wickets for his fiery pace. Team Green chasing an achievable target fell victim to Komasaru’s spin and could only score 94 runs before losing their last wicket with 16 balls to spare. Ashen Deemantha (21), Himasha Liyanage (18), Ramesh Nimantha (20) and Chalanaka Weerasinghe (11) entered double figures.
Team Green’s Kavindu Umesh was named the best batsman of the tournament while Team Maroon’s Chanaka Komasaru was named the best bowler of the tournament. Invited player Vikum Sanjaya Bandara representing Team Maroons was name Man of the Match for his all round performance. Shashni Ahamed of Sportec Blasters was named Player of the tournament. Team Maroon 122/9 in 20 overs (Ashan Ranasinghe 15, Indika de Saram 14, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara 30 not out; Nimanda Subasinghe 4/25) Team Green 94/10 in 17.2 overs (Ashen Deemantha 21, Ramesh Nimantha 20, Himasha Liyanage 18, Chalanaka Weerasinghe 11; Chanaka Komasaru 4/9, Vikum Bandara 2/10)