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16th March 1997

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S.Thomas' win despite heroic 94 by Liyanage

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Despite a resolute innings of 94 by Lasantha Liyanage and a back-to-the- wall fight by Royal's tailenders, S.Thomas', led by Nilanka Peiris, completed an emphatic eight wicket victory in their 118th Battle of the Blues at the SSC grounds yesterday.

Amidst the fluttering of blue and black flags by ecstatic supporters and the trumpeting of the traditional big match band sounds, the Thomians notched up the required 86 runs for victory in the seventh mandatory over to hail a glorious win after nine years.

After dominating the first two days, S.Thomas' were left only to perform the final rites yesterday. However, a gritty batting performance by Royal and a couple of missed chances by the Thomian fielders delayed the inevitable.

Royal began the day at 107 for 3 and required a Herculean task to save the game. They were soon in deep trouble when they lost skipper Nanayakkara and Jaysuriya and were 136 for 5. At this stage overnight batsmen Lasantha Liyanage was joined by Anushka Samarakkody.

The pair put on a stubborn defence to take Royal past the 183 run innings deficit. Samarakkody's contribution was only 26 but his occupation of the crease was more important for Royal's survival.

Soon after lunch the Thomians struck a double blow when medium pacer Romesh Fernando took the wickets of Samarakkody and Jayasuriya to have the Royalist tottering again at 194/7.

Liyanage, meanwhile, carried on a lone battle to frustrate the Thomians with a defaint knock. He used his feet to good effect to cut and drive on both sides of the wicket and collected his runs freely.

However when the youngster was just six runs away from a well deserved century he attempted to sweep a Mapatuna delivery only to offer a catch to wicketkeeper Karunaratne.

Kicking his heels Liyanage walked back to the pavillion in tears when he was carried away on their shoulders by fellow Royalists. His heroic five and a half hour vigil at the crease was worth 94 runs but still not good enough to save the Royalists from defeat.

Although the writing was on the wall for Royal at 221 for 8, they continued to defy the Thomians through their tailenders. Number nine batsmen Shanaka Perera put to shame some of his recognised batsmen when he compiled a fluent half century and put on 39 runs for the nineth wicket with Medonza (09). However the end came soon when Amila Perera claimed the last two wickets for Royal to be all out for 268 runs.

Needing just 86 runs for victory the Thomians reached the target in the seventh mandatory over for the loss of two wickets. After losing both their openers, Romesh Fernando (35 no.) and Bhatiya Karunaratne (21 n o) put on an unbroken 49 runs for the third wicket to make certain of S .Thomas' 32nd victory in the series.

Scoreboard

S. Thomas' 1st innings - 340/5 decl.
Royal 1st innings - 157 all out.
Royal 2nd innings - 51/3 overnight.

Lasantha Liyanage ct. Karunaratne b. R. Mapatuna 94
Kavinda Nanayakkara b. A. Perera 32
Ruchira Jayasuriya lbw R. Fernando 09
Anuka Samarakkody ct. Karunaratne b. R. Fernando 26
Umesh Gunawardene ct. U. Fernando b. R. Fernando 09
Shanaka Perera not out 51
Haritha Rajakaruna lbw A. Perera 09
Asanka Sanjeewa b. A. Perara 00

Extras (NB-1, W-1, B-18) 20
Total (for 10 wickets) 268

Fall of Wickets:1-00, 2-01, 3-48, 4-109, 5-136, 6-185, 7-194, 8-221, 9-260, 10-268.

Bowling: N. Ratwatte 24-8-62-1, A. Perera 17-7-25-4, U. Fernando 2-0-2-0, R. Fernando 23-9-47-3, R. Mapatuna 33-6-71-2, S. Medonza 13-8-15-0, J. Siriwardene 5-1-8-0, U. Paramasivam 3-0-14-0, N. Peiris 1-0-5-0.

S. Thomas' 2nd innings

U. Paramasivam ct. U. Gunawardene b. L Liyanage 09
Upekha Fernando ct. Nanayakkara b. Sanjeewa 15
Bhatiya Karunaratne not out 21
Romesh Fernando not out 36

Extras (LB-4, W-1) 05
Total (for 02 wkts) 86

Fall of Wickets: 1-25, 2-37.

Bowling: A. Samarakkody 6-0-18-0, A. Sanjeewa 4-0-21-1, L. Liyanage 3.1-0-20-1, H. Rajakaruna 2-0-6-0, U. Gunawardene 2-0-19-0.

Sri Lanka flop

Hamilton - New Zealand increased their lead to 105 with 9 wickts in hand at the end of the second day of the Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Earlier, the tourists scored just 69 runs in the second session to reach 144 for six in response to New Zealand's first innings of 222 on Friday.

Their usual flamboyance was tempered after losing three wickets for 17 runs in 6.2 overs after the lunch adjournment, to slump to 93 for six.

Kumar Dharmasena and Chaminda Vaas initially looked to attack the Kiwis' slower bowlers, Dharmasena lofting offspinner Dipak Patel over mid wicket for six, before they went into their shells. The final 55 minutes of the session for tea produced just 12 runs.

While runs became scarce, the ploy worked as the home side were kept at bay as Dharmasena and Vaas put on an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 51.

Wellington fast bowler Heath Davis caused the early damage after lunch when he trapped Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga leg before wicket off the fourth delivery of the session which kept wickedly low.

He looked to have achieved a similar result against opener Roshan Mahanama two balls later but was no-balled by Auckland umpire Doug Cowie for over-stepping the mark.

But Mahanama, who soldiered diligently to reach 45, departed three overs later when young left arm spinner Daniel Vettori had him caught in close.

Davis then had first test century-maker Romesh Kaluwitharana caught behind for 11 before Dharmasena and Vaas put their heads down.

Tamil U give Bloomfield a torrid time

By M.H.M. Manasique

Despite being table leaders, Bloomfield's chances of emerging Sara Trophy 'Segment A' champions is still delicately balanced with Tamil Union holding on to the reins, to beplaced on an even footing on the second day of their encounter at Reid Avenue yesterday.

The home team after being well placed with a formidable 303 in their first innings bundled out the visitors for 190 with some spirited fielding. Batheesha de Silva caused much of the damage with his right arm leg spin claiming five wickets. But batting in the second innings, Bloomfield were somewhat badly placed at 174 for 7 which means Tamil Union are likely to gain the advantage after being set with a target for an outright win.

At Reid Avenue

Bloomfield - 303 and 174 for 7 in 53 overs (Naveed Nawas 37, Sampath Perera 36, Ruchira Paliyaguru 30, Batheesha de Silva 12, Shanuka Dissanayake 25 n.o, Chaminda Hathurusinghe 2 for 29, Chandika Hathurusinghe 3 for 86)

Tamil Union - 31 for no loss overnight 190 all out in 46.2 overs

(Gayan Wijekoon 56, Varuna Waragoda 12, Indika de Seram 13, Asela Jayasinghe 42, Suranga Kumara 13, Niroshan Bandaratileke 13, Cahminda Hathurusinghe 10, Pulasthi Gunaratne 3 for 32, Mario Villavarayan 2 for 47, Batheesha de Silva 5 for 88)

At BRC

BRC - 260 for 8 overnight 365 all out in 105.5 overs.

(Chetaka Perera 74, Sthaya Jayasuriya 13; Gamini Perera 3 for 36, Yasa Thillekeratne 2 for 66) and 37 for 1 at close (Ashan Ranaweera 28 n.o.)

Antonians SC - 254 all out in 70.5 overs

(Thusara Kodikara 18, Yasas Thillekerate 105, Vipula Sittamage 62, Suwanji Madanayake 5 for 47)

At Colts

NCC - 258 all out and 271 for 7 in 55 overs

(Ruwin Peiris 62, Damith Maiarachchi 21, Ajabtha Weerapuli 60, Russel Arnold 22, Chamara Dunusinghe 41, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe 23, Janaka Pradeep 16 n.o., Bhatiya Perera 2 for 47)

Colts - 183 for 3 overnight, 284 all out in 79.2 overs (Sajith Fernando 80, Nishantha Ranathunga 57, Dulip Liyanage 19, Eric Upashantha 26, Bhatiya Perera 15 n.o., Sanjeewa Jayarathe 2 for 138, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe 8 for 77

63rd Battle of the Saints : Pieris saves St. Peters'

By S.M.D.Sirisena

Pint-sized Chrysantha Pieris saved St. Peter's from certain defeat at the hands of St. Joseph's in their 63rd Battle of the Saints which ended in a thrilling draw at the P.Sara Stadium yesterday.

Set to make 125 for a win in 25 overs, the Josephians were 102 for 8 at close with Chrysantha Pieris bowling his heart out with his effective left arm spinners to capture four wickets for 23,thus restricting the Josephians from going for the runs.

In the Peterite second innings, Chrysantha Pieris scored 17 runs in 77 minutes and thus prolonged the Peterite innings by frustrating the Josephian bowling. At one stage St. Peter's were 79 for 9 but Chrysantha (17) and Dilshan Rupasinghe (23 n.o) were associated in a 43 runs partnership for the last wicket. Earlier Shamal Warnakula of St. Joseph's setup a new bowling record in the Josephian-St.Peter's series by having a match bag of 14 wickets

SCOREBOARD

St. Peter's first innings - 199
St. Joseph's first innings - 111 for 3 overnight

J.Jayasuriya b Moses 0
I.Daniel lbw b Moses 14
C.Fernando st J.Fernando b C.Perera 31
T.Mathews c J.Fernando b Moses 64
M.Perera c J.Fernando b Moses 23
M.Fernando c & b Moses 9
A.Bosco b Warnapura 7
A.de.Mel b Sonal 22
S.Fernando c J.Fernando b Warnapura 11
S.Warnakula lbw b Moses 0
D.Woutersz n.o.13

Extras - 4
Total- (all out) 198 in 52.2 overs

Fall - 0, 23, 69, 112,132, 147, 149, 162, 164)

Bowling:L. Moses 12-1-61-6; M. Warnapura 14-2-63-2; C. Peiris 14-4-30-1; R. Nonis 1-0-4-0;I. Sonali 2.2-1-28-1; D. Rupasinghe 4-0-7-0.

St. Peter's - second innings

N. Herath c Bosco b Warnakula 3
J. Fernanado c Daniels b Warnakula 16
M. Warnapura c C.Fernando b Warnakula 5
G. de Alwis b Warnakula 15
M. Perera c H.Fernando b Warnakula 1
I. Fonseka c M. Fernando b Warnakula 5
R. Nonis C M Fernando b Warnakula 9
L. Moses c M.Fernando b C. Fernando 9
I. Sonali c Mathews b Warnakula 1
D. Rupasinghe not out 23
C. Peris c M.Fernando b Warnakula 17

Extra 27
Total - (all out) 122 in 21.1 overs

Fall: 11, 24, 42, 44, 48, 56, 70, 71, 79

Bowling: T. Mathews 5-3-4-0; C. Fernando 14-8-29-1; S. Warnakula 21.1-9-41-9; M. Perera 3-2-3-0; A. de Mel 2-1-5-0

St Joseph's - second innings

C. Fernando c J. Fernando b Moses 4
I. Daniel run out 19
T. Mathews b C.Peris 25
M. Perera lbw C.Peris 22
M. Fernando b C. Peiris 0
A Dde Mel C & b C. Peiris 5
S. Fernando not out 9
J. Jayasuriya run out 4
A. Bosco run out 2
S. Warnakula not out 2

Extras 8
Total - 102 for 68 at close in 25 overs.

Fall: 14, 40, 61, 67, 87, 96, 98

Bowling: M. Warnakua 5-0-24-0; I. Sonali 5-2-28-0; L. Moses 2-0-8-1; C. Peiris 13-3-23-4; D. Rupasinghe 3-0-11-0.

Honours for Wesley

Wesley took major honours in their drawn Inter-School cricket match with Nalanda which ended in a draw at Campbell Park yesterday.

Australia 108 all out

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Saturday, (Reuter) - Australia were 108 all out in reply to South Africa's first innings 209 on the second day of the second test today.

The disaster began when Steve Waugh sent Matthew Elliott back after initially responding to a call for a sharp single. Hansie Cronje quickly recovered from a slight fumble and Elliott was run out for a marathon 23 from 120 deliveries.

Waugh (8) then edged all rounder Brian McMillan to 'keeper Dave Richardson who took a spectacular one handed diving catch in front of slip.

Panic seemed to set in as Michael Bevan glanced McMillan down the leg side only to see Richardson's gloves once again waiting to accept the offering. Bevan posted the sixth duck of the match so far.

Ian Healy (5) then made a rotten mess of a hook shot to lob a simple catch to square leg and Greg Blewett (13), having followed the shotless example set by Elliott, finally lost his off stump to a snorting off cutter from Allan Donald after batting fo 81 minutes.

Resuming at 10 for one in the morning, Australia lost captain Mark Taylor in the third over of the morning to a thin edge off Shaun Pollock which Richardson caught diving to his left.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand First Innings 222

Sri Lanka
First innings

S. Jayasuriya c Astle b Davis 20
R. Mahanama lbw b Vettori 45
H.Tillekaratne c Young b Doull 2
A. de Silva c Parore b Vettori 1
A. Ranatunga lbw b Davis 4
R. Kaluwitharana c Parore b Davis 11
K. Dharamasena c Fleming b Davis 27
C. Vaas c Pocock b Vettori 28
N. Zoysa c Doull b Vettori 14
S. de Silva not out 0
M. Muralitharn c Parore b Davis 5

Extras (w-1, nb-3, lb-9) 13
Total 170

Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-57, 3-58, 4-76, 5-87, 6-93, 7-144, 8-154, 9-165, 10-170

Bowling: S. Doull 13-4-19-1 (nb-2), H. Davis 20. 2-3-63-5 (w-1, nb-1), N. Astle 3-1-8-0, D.Vettori 25-8-46-4, D.Patel 8-2-25-0.

New Zealand - second innings

B. Pocock c Mahanama b Zoysa 7
B. Horne not out 14

Extras 10
Total 1 wicket in 19 overs 53 for 1

Fall of wickets - 1/14,

Bowling - Chaminda Vaas 5-1-13-0, Nuwan Zoysa 6-1-12-1, Sajeewa de Silva 2-0-6-0, Kumara Dharmasena 4-1-10-0, Muttiah Muralitharan 2-0-5-0.

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