Chalaka Bogoda’s century anchored Royal to a record total and he took the wicket of Nilaksha Fernando to enable Royal to beat S. Thomas’ by the highest ever margin of 133 runs in their Mustangs Trophy one day match played at Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds yesterday.
Royal thus retain the trophy and lead the series by 18 matches to 16. Chasing a target at nearly six runs an over S. Thomas’ lost Brian Dharmasena with the total on just eight runs.
However, Pasan Wijewardena and Sachinda Liyanarachchi began consolidating the Thomian innings. At the end of ten overs, S. Thomas’ was ahead of the eight ball at 38 for one. With run rate increasing after every over, Liyanarachchi let his side down by leaving an inswinger from Guarav Deva alone. Deva then in his next over clean bowled Pasan Wijewardena. The Thomians lost three quick wickets and then decided to put up shutters.
The first session belonged to Royal in general and Chalaka Bogoda in particular. Royal amassed the highest ever total in the series of 289 for 6 while Bogoda became only the second centurion after Heshan Morawaka when he remained unbeaten on 104 off 120 balls. Earlier Royal made three changes from the team that played in the ‘big match’.
The brothers – Madusha and Charutha came in for Imal Liyanage and Devind Pathmanathan while Milan Abeysekera replaced Madusha Guneratne behind the stumps. S. Thomas’ made one change. Spinner Umesh Fernando made way for batsman Liyanarachchi.
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