Opener Dinesh Chandimal and middle order batsman Thilan Samaraweera struck half centuries to guide Wayamba Province to an exciting 20-run victory over Kandurata in their SLC Inter Provincial limited overs cricket tournament match worked off at the SSC ground in Maitland Place today.
After Wayamba had piled up a formidable 251 for 8 from their 50 overs having elected to bat first, Kandurata in reply could manage only 231 in 49.1 overs with opening bowler Chanaka Welagedera claiming four wickets.
Kandurata were always up against it as they lost wickets at regular intervals in their attempt to maintain the required run rate. Welagedera struck early in the fifth over of the innings while Sachithra Senanayake had the prize wicket of skipper Kumar Sangakkara for 29.
However Chamara Kapugedera and Jehan Mubarak kept their hopes alive to a certain extent while adding 55 runs for the fourth wicket. Both were dismissed in their 40’s while trying to accelerate the scoring rate with Kapugedera stroking four boundaries and Mubarak hoisting one six and two boundaries.
Thereafter Wayamba took a firm grip of the game despite a determined effort from all rounders Farveez Maharoof and Angelo Perera who had three boundaries during his innings.
This was after Wayamba had produced a splendid batting performance spearheaded by their opener Dinesh Chandimal and middle order batsman Thilan Samaraweera.
The former hit a top score of 81 from 102 deliveries with the help of three sixes and the same number of boundaries. Together with the experienced Thilan Samaraweera the pair were associated in a match winning fourth wicket stand of 87 runs.
Samaraweera continued with the good work in his typical style until the end and added a further 50 runs for the sixth wicket along with all rounder Sachithra Senanayake who made a run a ball 28 inclusive of three boundaries. Samaraweera remained unbeaten on a magnificent 70 from 92 balls and his innings was studded with one six and just two boundaries.
Chief scores:
Wayamba: 251 for 8 in 50 overs (D. Chandimal 81, R. Buddhika 20, T.Samaraweera 70 n. o, S. Senanayake 28, C. Vidanapathirana 4 for 60)
Kandurata: 231 in 49.1 overs(K. Sangakkara 29, C. Kapugedera 46, J. Mubarak 44, F. Maharoof 18, A. Perera 35, C. Welagedera 4 for 50, A. Mendis 2 for 48)