Jayasuriya pilots Udarata Rulers to a 55-run win

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Shehan Jayasuriya (50 off 30 balls) played a match-winning knock, which helped Udara Rulers to win by 55 runs against Western Troopers in the morning match of the UltraTech Super 4's Twenty20 Tournament match at SSC grounds yesterday.

Jayasuriya smashed two sixes and four boundaries batting with opener Upul Tharanga who contributed with 36. Both openers Tharanga and Dhananjaya de Silva put on a 55-run stand for the first wicket. The pair's solid opening stands Udarata Rulers are on top having won both matches with +2.018 net run rate.

Skipper Lahiru Thirimanne (21 off 10) and Milinda Siriwardena (19 off 7) provided the late flurry of runs as Rulers cruised to 174-5.

In reply, Western Troopers were bowled out for 119. Ajantha Mendis bowled a brilliant spell. Nuwan Pradeep walked away due to an knee injury after bowling two deliveries.

Udarata Rulers: 174-5 in 20 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 50, Upul Tharanga 36, Lahiru Thirimanne 21 n.o, Dhananjaya de Silva 20, Milinda Siriwardene 19 n.o, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 2-26, Suranga Lakmal 2-31)

Western Troopers: 119 all out in 18.2 overs (Isuru Udana 20, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 19, Dimuth Karunaratne 16, Dilshan Munaweera 11, Suranga Lakmal 10 n.o, Udara Jayasundara 10, Ajantha Mendis 3-28, Milinda Siriwardene 2-14, Dilhara Lokuhettige 2-16, Asela Gunaratne 2-28)

Alankara Silva leading wicket-taker

Alankara Silva (4 for 25) and Ramith Rambukwella (3 for 21) ripped the heart out of the Southern Express batting line-up dispite Jehan Mubarak (43 not out off 41) and Farveez Maharoof (29 off 18) steered Express to get pass 139 runs in the latter part of the innings in a rain-washed out no decision match in the evening.

Number three batsman Jehan Mubarak played a sheet anchor role remaining unbeaten hitting five fours and a six. Maharoof played an aggressive knock with three sixes.

Alankara Silva, who took 3-22 against Western Troopers in his first match on Thursday, became the leading wicket taker of the UltraTech Super 4's Twenty20 Tournament having captured seven wickets in two matches.

Yaal Blazers, led by Dinesh Chandimal, had faced only four overs when rain interrupted. Ashan Priyanjan was stumped off Dilruwan Perera for 1 and skipper Chandimal was caught behind off Dilruwan Perera.

Southern Express: 139 all out; 20 overs (Jehan Mubarak 43 n.o, Farveez Maharoof 29, Niroshan Dickwella 25, Yasodha Lanka 24, Alankara Silva 4-25, Ramith Rambukwella 3-21, Chathuranga Kumara 1-16, Akila Dhananjaya 1-35)

Yaal Blazers: 21-2 in 4 overs (Mahela Udawatte 9 n.o, Dinesh Chandimal 9, Ashan Priyanjan 1, Dilruwan Perera 2-7)