Central Province by 5 wkts

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

CRICKET: Central Province scored a five wicket win over North Eastern Province made up of cricketers from Jaffna and Batticaloa in their inter-provincial under-21 limited over cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket and played at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium.

The cricketers from North and Eastern Provinces taking first strike did well to score 217 for 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs S. Sanjeewan top scored with 43 which had 5 fours while useful contributions too came from Lakshitha.

Madushan 40, S. Mohanan 41. Spinner Sahan Palihakkara captured 3 for 77 while Trinity schoolboy Kavinda Jayasuriya took 2 for 50 with his off spinners.

The strong Central Province chasing a victory target of 218 in 50 overs reached the winning post in 34 overs.

Schoolboy Sadun Weerakoddy who scored top scored with a hard hit 90 not out which had 5 sixes and 6 fours to guide his side to a five wicket win. The Jaffna and Batticaloa cricketers though they lost put up a good display as the match was played on turf wicket for which they are not unaccustomed to.

North and Eastern Province: 217 for 8 wickets (Lakshitha Madushan 40, Suranga Sunith 34, S. Mohanan 41, S. Sanjeewan 43, Sahan Pallihakkara 3 for 77, Kavinda Jayasuriya 2 for 50.

Central Province: 220 for 5 wickets (Kasun Ekanayake 37, Kavinda Jayasuriya 16, Sadun Weerakoddy 90 not out, Eric Pratap 2 for 52).