A thrilling draw

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Dharmaraja College were saved by bad light from certain defeat in the hands of Trinity College in their inter-school cricket match played at the newly laid turf at the Lake View Ground, Kandy with the match ending in a thrilling draw.

The Rajans were set a victory target of 115 in around 70 overs on a wicket which was a batsmen's nightmare. They were struggling at 74 for 7 in 49 overs when bad light stopped play shortly after tea.

The wicket did not help the batsmen at all with the ball rising with uncertainty. A total of 37 wickets fell on the two days and only 362 runs were scored with the highest score being 26 runs. The Rajans who were dismissed for 82 last morning coneded a lead of 38 runs which was invaluable for the Trinitians in the final reckoning. Trinity's new left-arm spinner Aamil Anaz made a memorable debut capturing a match bag of 8 for 39.

Trinity though possessing a strong batting line up were dismissed for 76 in just 23.3 overs. They were 47 for 7 at one stage before the tail wagged a little to take them to 76 all out. Skipper and left-arm spinner bowled well to capture 4 for 20 supported by off spinner Pratap de Silva who took 4 for 17.

Set a victory target of 115 Rajans were in a sad plight at 47 for 7 at one stage before tail enders Hemal Munaweera 12 not out and Lahiru Herath 17 not out put on 27 valuable runs for the eight wicket. Amil Anaz once again bowled well to capture 3 for 24.

Trinity: 120 all out and 76 all out in 23.3 overs (Heshan Wanniaarachchi 16, Suresh Wirkcrema 10, Akila Jayasundera 10 not out, Ramesh Yapa Bandara 4 for 20, Pratap de Silva 4 for 17, Rahula Ekanayake 2 for 21).

Dharmaraja: 82 all out in 38.3 overs (Sanjay Kalubowila 26, Aamil Anaz 5 for 15, Akila Jayasundera 2 for 25) and 74 for 7 in 49 overs (Sanjay kalubowila 17, Lahiru Herath 17 not out, Aamil Anaz 3 for 24, Suresh Wickrema 2 for 18.