Nadeera and Kanchana lead Kandurata’s run chase

by Chris Dhambarage

CRICKET: Openers Nadeera Nawala and Kanchana Gunawardena struck elegant half centuries as MAS Kandurata set about chasing Basnahira North’s massive first innings total of 530 on the second day of their Bank of Ceylon Inter-Provincial four-day cricket tournament match which continued at the Moors SC ground in Braybrooke Place on Friday.

The pair also figured in an opening stand of 122 runs as Kandurata finished on an impressive 165 for 2 in their first innings. Nawala remained unbeaten on 78 from 135 deliveries inclusive of one six and eight boundaries. However Gunawardena fell for a well compiled 64 which was studded with eleven boundaries.

Earlier Basnahira North further extended their first innings total to a huge 530 following some splendid contributions from the late order batsmen. After Gayan Wijekoon had departed early for 89, Shanuka Dissanayake and Nuwan Kulasekera took over the main role, while adding 102 runs for the ninth wicket.

All rounder Dissanayake carried on with the good work until the end as he ran out of partners before falling short by just four runs from completing a century.

His innings included two sixes and ten boundaries while Kulasekera made an aggressive 58 with the aid of one six and eight boundaries.

Basnahira North: 530 (D. Munaweera 83, D. Karunaratne 34, K. Silva 19, G. Wijekoon 89, M. Pushpakumara 85, D. Prasad 30, S. Dissanayake 96 n.o, N. Kulasekera 58, C. Vidanapathirana 3 for 77, S. Randiv 4 for 177).

Kandurata: 165 for 2 (N. Nawala 78 n.o, K. Gunawardena 64).

Basnahira South fight back

Two fighting half centuries from opener Malintha Warnapura and Lahiru Thirimanna helped Basnahira South stage a good fight back on the second day of their Bank of Ceylon Inter-Provincial four-day cricket tournament match against Wayamba which continued at the Pallekelle Stadium in Kandy on Friday.

Trailing by 129 runs on the first innings Basnahira South recovered magnificently to reach a respectable 276 for 4 in their second innings. Warnapura made a solid 56 with ten boundaries while Thirimanna remained unbeaten on 65 having struck seven boundaries.

Earlier Wayamba went on to take first innings points while scoring 249 in reply to Basnahira South’s total of 120. Isuru Udana hit an unbeaten 61 from 79 balls with one six and eight boundaries.

Basnahira South: 120 and 276 for 4 (M. Warnapura 56, Y. de Silva 36, L. Thirimanna 65 n.o, G. Rupasinghe 40, C. Silva 44, P. Jayawardena 25 n.o, R. Herath 2 for 95).

Wayamba: 249 (M. Van Dort 63, S. Karunanayake 36, I. Udana 61 n.o., R. Herath 21, J. Gunaratne 2 for 53, C. Perera 4 for 52, M. Bandara 3 for 42).