Low scoring game so far – evenly poised
The 139th Royal-Thomian match, which has produced a lot of uninspiring cricket, is heading for an uneventful draw by the end of the second day’s play at the SSC.
Royal continuing from their overnight score of 33 for 3, were able to eke out a 12 run lead on the first innings thanks to the 27 runs added by the last pair of Dimal Wijeasekera and Manula Perera. They nicked and nudged their way against a toothless Thomian attack when play resumed at 3.45 after a break of about 90 minutes.
Thomian left-arm paceman Kalana Perera reacts after grabbing five Royal wickets - Pic by Amila Gamage
Kalana Perera, the prized possession, seemed to have shot his bolt and did not attack the stumps. Skipper Pieris was ineffective. Bowling options were not utilised and they seemed ‘Godot-like’ to wait for something to happen.
Wijesekera and Perera advanced the score from 151 to a 178, and to a lead that Royal did not quite deserve.
The fact that not a single half century has been scored in nearly two full days of cricket, by two of the leading cricketing institutions in the country, is a sad indictment on the state of school cricket. One hopes that there will be some good batting at least today (Day 3) to entertain the spectators..
The morning session was dull and dreary. There was not much enterprise from the batsmen and Kalana Perera apart, there was little or no venom in the attack.
135 minutes play produced 65 runs. Left hander Madarasinghe moved from 13 to 32 in 135 minutes of play. Probably Royal wanted him to anchor the innings while Sooriyabandara played shots at the other end. Did the Thomians have a brain-fade as they forgot to attack the left hander with an off-spinner?
The Royal skipper played some good shots during his 90 ball innings that contained 7 fours. He added a six by depositing his opposite number over the ropes at mid wicket.
However, he had a stroke of luck at 33, he came down the wicket to Fernando and was beaten in the flight. He got a nick but Hapuhinne was unable to accept either offering – the catch or the stumping.
The Thomian attack was all Kalana Perera. There was excitement and more than a hint of danger when he was operating. He came round the wicket to induce a loose drive from Royal’s star player, and that was that. Good thinking. He had now taken all four wickets that had fallen.
Lunch was taken at 98 for 4, after 45 overs.
The Thomians struck twice after lunch, getting rid of Madarasinghe and the dangerous Senaratne. The latter played an atrocious shot and missed to be declared leg before.
Pathiratne overcame a nervy beginning against pacie Kalana Perera but proceeded to bat patiently. Then, he came out and heaved at Pieris to offer Hapuhinne a simple stumping.
Royal flopped badly after lunch. Two or three poor shots heralded the decline. Skipper Pieris, who had not bowled much earlier, took up the challenge and lured Pathiratne, Senaratne and Madushanka to their doom.
The fall of wickets was not due to any excellence on the part of the bowlers, barring Perera. The shot selection by the late order was poor. Perera bagged Suriyabandara before lunch and Bandara later on, to complete a five for. This was a feat he achieved last year too (5 for 47).
The Thomian openers Guneratne and De Mel played out six overs before bad light put an end to the day’s play. 22 overs were lost on account of the weather.
Scoreboard
S. Thomas’ first innings 166 for 9 declared
Royal first innings 33 for 3 contd.
Kavindu Madarasinghe c Eriyagama by Ratnayake 37
(Caught close in, trying to flick it away)
Pasindu Suriyabandara c Hapuhinna b Perera 46
(Drove loosely outside off stump and nicked)
Kavindu Pathiratne st Hapuhinna b Pieris 11
(Moved down the pitch and swung lustily)
Thevindu Senaratne lbw b Pieris 13
(Swept across the line and missed)
Lahiru Madusanka c Munasinghe b Pieris 11
(Took on the bowler, and lofted to long on)
Dimal Wijesekera st. Hapuhinna b Pieris 26
(Jumped out, swung and missed)
Themal Bandara c Hapuhinna b Bandara 6
(Tried to fend off rising delivery and edged)
Manula Perera not out 6
Extras (2lb, 2w, 3nb) 7
Total (all out in 75 overs) 178
Fall of wickets: Fourth at 96, 104, 127,139, 139, 151, 178
Bowling: Shannon Fernando 18-7-29-0; Kalana Perera 26-7-56-5; Dulith Guneratne 1-1-0-0; Thevin Eriyagama 5-1-21-0; Pavith Ratnayake 7-1-20-1; Shalin de Mel 6-2-10-0; Dellon Pieris 12-2-40-4.
S. Thomas’ 2nd innings
Dulith Gunaratne not out 0
Shalin de Mel not out 3
Extras 0
Total:(for no wicket in 6 overs) 3
Bowling: Kamil Mishara 3-2-1-0; Manula Perera 2-1-2-0; Gayan Dissanayake 1-1-0-0.