Chanaka shines in drawn game

Taxila, Horana batsman Nuwan Madushan in a spot of bother against the bowling of Piliyandala Central spinner Ishan Harshana. (Pic by Ranjith Perera)

The 7th Battle of the Centrals between Piliyandala Central and Taxila Central Horana concluded at the De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa ended in a tame draw. Piliyandala Central dominated the first day’s proceedings by making an imposing score of 262 for 8 declared through a 101 knock by Chanaka Ruwansiri.

But Taxila Central came back with the tail enders denying an early success for their opponents as they ended their innings just before tea on 204. The writing was on the wall of an inevitable draw but Piliyandala Central trying to make a game out of it declared their second essay on 129 for 6. This left Taxila an impossible target of 187 runs in 26 overs and the match was called off with the score on 29 for 2.

Piliyandala Central 262 for 8 declared (Chanaka Ruwansiri 101, Sanjeewa Harshadeva 42.; Buddhika Sanjeewa 6 for 99) and 129 for 6 (Chanaka Ruwansiri 80.; Buddhika Sanjeewa 4 for 42)

Taxila Central (98/4 o’night) 204 (Dulanga Lakmal 42, Nuwan Madusanka 38, Thilina Suresh 33.; Dharshana Liyanage 3 for 22) and 29 for 2 -MSA