Dharmaraja coasted to a comfortable seven wickets win over Kingswood in their 105th Big Match played at the Pallekelle International Stadium.
The win was set up by the Rajan bowlers who dismissed their opponents for 117. The Rajan batsmen did not really capitalize on the situation, making a modest 169 for 6 before declaring first thing on day two.
Kingswood, 52 runs in arrears, ran into trouble at 22 for 4. However, brave resistance from skipper Yasindu Atukorale, Lakshitha Madushan and Madusha Premawardena helped them to reach 127 and set the Rajans a target of 76 with time to spare.
Gunasekera, Weerakkodi and Wijekoon threw their wickets away after brief flurries. It was left to skipper Hemal Munaweera to see his team cross the line.
This was the 38th win for the Rajans who broke a thirty year drought. The last win – also by the Rajans came in 1981 under Janaka Mendis.
Kingswood 117 in 38.5 overs (N. Weerakoon 50, L. Madushan 30, Y. Atukorale 22; N. Karunaratne 3 for 34, D. Lanka 3 for 38, M. Ratnayake 1 for 14) and 127 in 60 overs (Y. Atukorale 23, L. Madushan 31, M. Premawardena 20, N. Unamboowe 17, N. Karunaratne 3 for 36, L. Herath 2 for 6)
Dharmaraja 169 for 6 in 38 overs (S.Gunasekera 53, N. Weerakkodi 43, H. Munaweera 26, N. Karunaratne 24; Y. Athukorale 2 for 21, C.Gunasekera 2 for 29, L. Hettiarachchi 2 for 32) and 76 for 3 in 19 overs (K. Wijekoon 12, S. Weerakkodi 24, H. Munaweera 12 n.o; Y. Atukorale 1 for 11, C. Gunasekera 1 for 17, L. Madushan 1 for 11) |
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