Samaraweera and Tanvir steer Kandurata to win by 32 runs on D/L method

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in Palekelle

A blistering 71 from Thilan Samaraweera and a great spell of 4 for32 by Sohail Tanvir saw Kandurata to an easy 32 run victory on the Duckworth/Lewis method when rain stopped play with four overs remaining over Uthura in their SLPL game under lights at the Palekelle Stadium, yesterday.

After making 168 for 5, Kandurata, restricted Uthura for 105 for 7 in 16 overs when rain stopped play. Uthura were off to a shocking start losing their first wicket for no score in the first over and were tottering at one stage at 3 for 21. The wrecker was left armer Sohail Tanvir who sent the stumps of Quinet and Udawtte cartwheeling.

Then Chamara Kapugedera from whom much was expected was bowled by John Hastings for 4 and with it probably kissed his chances of making it to the Twenty20 World Cup squad goodbye.

From that moment onwards Uthura continued to lose wickets and the end was not long in coming. Kndurata won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that seemed ideal for batting.

Openers Thilan Samaraweera and Sanath Jayasuriya who was making his first appearance in the tournament gave the side a flying start putting on 50 for the first wicket in 4.5 overs. Samaraweera who is more suited for the longer version of the game, showed that if given the opportunity he could adjust to the shorter form of the game by blasting away at the Uthura bowlers.

With the score on 50, Jayasuriya who was struggling and who was looking completely out of touch snicked Farveez Mahroof to wicket keeper Brendan Taylor after making five. Jeevantha Kulatunga joined Samaraweera and added 70 useful runs for the second wicket. Samaraweera was in cracking form blasting boundaries all round the wicket and was out after making 71 in 45 balls with 9 fours and a six.

With the selectors yet to pick the Twenty20 World Cup squad, Samaraweera with this knock should be in the frame. Kulatunga too batted with purpose and made 36 with a four and a six. The big hitting Thisara Perera could make only just 2 runs- a rare failure. Towards the end Kaushal Lokuratchchi indulged in some big hitting smacking a four and two sixes in a 10-ball knock. Farveez Mahroof retuned the best figures of 3 for 36.

Kandurata: 168 for 5 in 20 overs (T. Samaraweera 71, J. Kulatunga 31, K. Lokuratchchi 22 no, F. Mahroof 3 for 36)

Uthura Rudras: 105 for 7 in 16 overs (B. Taylor 13, J. Mubarak 13, R. Silva 19, F. Mahroof 14, S. Tanvir 4 for 32, J. Hastings 2 for 23).

Nagenahira easily

In the second game on Friday, Nagenhira beat Basnahira by six wickets thanks to a bright knock of 54 M. Rahim.

Basnahira: 146 in 20 overs (T. Dilshan 35, D. Karunaratne 25, C. Borgas 32, E. Prasanna 3 for 20, A. Mendis 2 for 34).

Nagenhira: 151 for 4 in 20 overs (A. Shehzad 18, M. Rahim 54, A. Mathews 30).