Ravindu, Romesh steer S. Thomas’ to fourth successive win
Skipper Romesh Nallaperuma scored 53 as S. Thomas' retained the Mustang Trophy for the fourth year running - Pic by Ranjith Perera
Opener Ravindu Kodituwakku and skipper Romesh Nallaperuma laid the foundation for S. Thomas’ to record a close nine runs win over traditional rivals in their 42nd Mustang Trophy limited over encounter played at the SSC ground yesterday.
The Thomian victory saw them clinching the Mustang Trophy for the fourth successive year.
Ravindu cracked a 113 ball knock of 95 that included 11 boundaries and two sixes while Romesh hit 53 in 70 balls with three boundaries which help the Thomians to make a formidable score of 258 for 7 and Royal in pursuit of their target was restricted to a score of 247.
The Thomians who were invited to take first lease of the wicket by Royal skipper Helitha Vithanage saw the openers Ravindu and Dulith Gunaratne giving them a sound start putting on 59 runs off 83 balls.
Later Ravindu joined by his skipper Romesh associated in a valuable 73 runs stand for the third wicket before they were separated with the dismissal of Ravindu.
This was followed by a 50 runs stand for the fourth wicket between Romesh and Ishen Perera and the separation of this pair saw the Thomians losing three quick wickets for the addition of 26 runs before they ended their 50 overs with a score of 258 for 7. Royal skipper Helitha ended as the successful bowler as he finished with impressive figures of 4 for 42.
Royal in their run chase got off to an inauspicious start losing their first wicket with just three runs on the board. Big match hero Ahan Sanchitha and Lakindu Nanayakkara rescued the Royal side with pair putting on a valuable 72 runs for the second wicket.
But from here on they lost wickets at regular intervals and at the half way stage of the innings they were struggling on 103 for 5 before the other big match hero Thevindu Senaratne and skipper Helitha Vithanage came up with some resistance and put on 86 runs stand for the sixth wicket.
Thevindu was associated in another useful stand of 34 runs for the seventh wicket but his dismissal for 71 saw them falling back.
Royal was left with the task of making 36 runs from 24 balls but they lost two quick wickets for the addition of 18 runs and were able to muster a score of only 247 runs.
S. Thomas’ 258 for 7 in 50 overs
(Ravindu Kodituwakku 95, Romesh Nallaperuma 53, Ishen Perera 36 n.o.: Helitha Vithanage 4 for 42, Ganith Sandeepa 2 for 45)
Royal 247 for 9 in 50 overs (Thevindu Senaratne 71, Lakindu Nanayakkara 44, Helitha Vithanage 33, Ahan Sanchitha 26, Himesh Ramanayake 18, Ganith Sandeepa 15 n.o.: Pavith Ratnayake 3 for 37, Kalana Perera 2 for 47) - MSA