Girls' Cricket: Wadduwa Central win inaugural 'Big Match'

Wadduwa Central College Girls scored an easy 107-run victory over Mahanama Navodya Girls in their inaugural ‘Swarna-Neela’ cricket encounter at the Panadura Esplanade on Thursday (16).

This inaugural girls’ big match encounter with the blessings of Sri Lanka Cricket got off to a fine start when Mahanama Navodya skipper won the toss and took first lease of the wicket. 

They were given a sound start by openers by Savindi Nimalsha and Sachni Umega putting on 54 runs with both batters scoring 27 runs each.

Middle order batters failed to capitalise the start and lost their way half losing wickets regularly and were dismissed 109 runs off 22.3 overs. 

Only Hiruni Sachitra showed any confidence against the off spinner to score a patient 21. 

Hasini Sawindya, a right arm off spinner bowling to a nagging length rattled the Mahanama batters to claim 5 for 26 off 9 overs.

Chasing the victory target the experienced Wadduwa Central lasses were spearheaded by a fine batting display by Sri Lanka Under 15 cricketer Navodya Nethmi who missed a well deserved century to remain unbeaten on 93. 

Nethmi living  upto her reputation played a masterly inning guiding her side to pass the Navodya school total in a 165 delivery inning with 14 hits to the ropes. 

She was involved two fruitful partnerships first 51 runs for the fourth with Tharushi Gayathri (17) and secondly 69 runs for the 7th wicket with Dinushi Dananjana. 

Wadduwa Central scored 216 coming off in 51.4 overs.

Mahanama opening bowler Savibdi Nimalsha along with off spinner Ayodya Sardha were the pick of bowlers to claim 3 for 41 and 3 for 40 respectively but it was tall lanky Sanduni Lakmali with a fine action troubled the batters working out a good pace and bounce off the wicket. 

If Sanduni concentrated more on line and length the Wadduwa lasses would have found run scoring tough.

Mahanama Navodya 109 all out (22.3) (Savindi Nimalsha 27, Sachni Umega 27, Hiruni Sachitra 21, Hasini Sawindya 5/26, Nethmi Poorna 2/35)

Wadduwa Central 216 all out (51.4) (Ishani Hansika 25, Navodya Nethmi 93n.o, Tharushi Gayathri 17, Hasini Savindya 10, Dinushi Dananjana 24, Ayodya Sardha 3/40, Savindi Nimalsha 3/41)