Big Match: Isipathana salvage a draw against Thurstan

It was a narrow escape for Isipathana College against Thurstan College at the 55th Battle of the Brothers at the SSC ground on Saturday (24).
 
Being given the task of making 254 in 57 overs runs win Isipathana were precariously placed at 153 for 7 when badlight stopped further proceedings. 

Thurstan was in full control of the proceedings since the first ball was bowled on Friday. 

They ended day one in a strong position after being invited to take first lease of the wicket by posting a formidable total and then having their opponents in all sorts of problems. 

Nevertheless, last year’s captain Sanjula Abeywickrama 79 and skipper Ayana Siriwardena 52 came to the rescue. 

The pair put on a valuable 128 runs for the fifth wicket to end with a respectable score of 201 for 9 in the 60 overs allotted as agreed by the match organisors. 

Isipathana was made to struggle for their runs in the final session of play on day one as they lost four quick wickets with the scoreboard reading 60 for 4 before Sanjula and Ayana saw them through with an unbroken 60 runs stand. 

Thurstan right arm spinner Sawan Prabash ran through their batting with a four wicket haul as Isipathana lost four wickets for the addition of just 13 runs to end their 60 over inning which is being introduced for the first time with a score of 201 for 9. 

In contrast Thurstan invited to take first lease of the wicket made merry on day one as they sent the Isipathana bowlers on a leather hunt spearheaded by Jayavihan Mahavithana who cracked an unbeaten 125 in only 146 balls that included 12 boundaries and two sixes. 

Thurstan standing on a lead of 113 runs going into bat the second time came in with the aim of chalking up quick runs and they did just that. 

Facing 23 overs they put up a score of 140 for the loss of five wickets. 

The run chase for Isipathana of 254 runs was going to be a challenge for batsmen with nearly a session and a half of play remaining. 

Isipathana got off to a sound start with openers Thevindu Dickwella and Sanjula Bandara putting on 65 runs in even time but the fall of three quick wickets for the addition of 23 runs forced Isipathana to go on the defensive. 

Thurstan 314 for 5 wickets (60) (Nimesh Perera 52, Jayavihan Mahavithana 125n.o, 
Sawan Prabash 50, Nipun Lakshan 38, Khaliq Amath 2/56) and 140 for 5 wickets declared (23) (Nimesh Lakshan 22, Yeshan Wickramaarachchi 32, Pansilu Deshan 25n.o, Nimesh Perera 16n.o, Khaliq Amath 3/30)

Isipathana 201 for 9 wickets (60) (Sanjula Abeywickrama 79, Ayana Siriwardena 52, Sawan Prabash 4/41, Nipun Lakshan 2/58) and 153 for 7 wickets (52) at close (Thevindu Dickwella 27, 
Sanjula Bandara 25, Sanjula Abeywickrama 48, Ayesh Harshana 4/52, Janushka Fernando 3/42)