Kingswood force draw on back of Hashika’s 87
Hundred and four runs behind on the first innings, Kingswood produced perhaps their best batting effort of the season to earn a praiseworthy draw in the 118th Big Match played at Pallekelle. Earlier, Rajans skipper Sachintha Senanayake who was on course for a 100, fell for 77. This was followed by some tail-end heroics by pacie Virajitha Ehelepola and keeper Dhanuka Marasinghe who made 32 and 42 not out respectively. Kingswood skipper Deegayu Bandara bagged 3 for 65 with his medium pace. But left armer Lakmal De Silva with 4 for 72 outstripped him. Opener Hashika Gamage played a sterling innings of 87 that included eight fours and a six. His innings occupied 102 balls. Harshana Wickremasinghe helped him keep the Rajans at bay with a good knock of 44. Ultimately as expected the Rajans slightly slimmed bowling resources prevented another victory for them.
Chief Scores:
Kingswood 142 (50.3 overs) Vinuka Pussapitiya 30, Hashika Gamage 21, Harshana Wickremasinghe 21, Deegayu Bandara 19, Thushan Herath 3 for 29, Upendra Warnakulasuriya 3 for 44,Yasitha Samararatne 3 for 27) and 181 for 4 (56.5) (Hashika Gamage 87, Harshana Wickremasinghe 44, Devinda Dissanaike 25 n.o. Upendra Warnakulasuiriya 2 for 58)
Dharmaraja 125 for 2 contd. 246 for 8 dec (78.5) Sachintha Senanayake 77, Dulaj Bandara 38, Virajitha Ehelepola 40, Dhanuka Marasinghe 32 n.o, Deegayu Bandara 3 for 65, Lakmal De Silva 4 for 72).