Maiden Test centuries from Thirimanne and Chandimal
*Sri Lanka post a massive 570 for 4 dec.
*Bangladesh 135 for 2 in reply
By Elmo Rodrigopulle in Galle
Maiden unbeaten Test centuries from Lahiru Thirimanne (155) and
Dinesh Chandimal (116) helped Sri Lanka post a massive first innings
score of 570 for 4 wickets declared on the second day of the First Test
against Bangladesh at Galle International Cricket Stadium, here today.
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Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne raises his bat and
helmet in celebration after scoring a century (100 runs)
during the second day of their opening Test match between
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Galle International Cricket
Stadium in Galle on March 9, 2013. AFP |
In reply the visitors had made a spirited 135 for the loss of 2
wickets, still requiring another 236 runs to avoid the ignominy of
having to follow on. At the wickets were Mohammed Ashraful on 65 and M.
Haque on 35.
The second Bangladesh wicket to fall was that of Amanul Haque who was
bowled by off spinner Ajantha Mendis for 13 at for 65. He faced 68 balls
and hit one boundary.
With the Sri Lankan batsmen feasting on the poor Bangladeshi attach,
it was a pity that the promising left hand bat Kithuruwan Vithanage who
was making his debut was not given a bat.
Against an innocuous attack, it would have had the youngster at ease
and would have been the ideal opportunity for him to get the feel of
what it is to be out in the middle. But he will get his opportunity.
Youngsters Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal put their immense
batting talents on display scoring their maiden Test centuries. Both
showed good discipline, temperament and an array of strokes which augurs
well for the game’s future.
Thirimanne who was unlucky to miss a hundred, making 91 against
Australia in the Third Test in Sydney, realized the dream of every
cricketer in making a hundred. He played some eye catching strokes with
his majestic cover drive and nudges to leg bringing him runs.
Chandimal too batted well in that Sydney Test. He was left stranded
on 74, running short of partners. But he too made that dream come true
with a well constructed three figure score.
The rains that came down just before the close on Friday, had not
affected the ground, as the ground staff were quick in getting the
covers on and played started a few minutes early to catch up with the
time lost.
With Sri Lanka starting day two from a position of strength on 361
for 3 made on day one, the stage was set to make quick runs. But the
first hour produced only 32 runs.
In the morning session Sri Lanka lost their big hitting captain
Angelo Mathews after adding only six runs to the overnight score and
probably with his dismissal the scoring rate dropped.
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Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal plays a shot during
the second day of their opening Test match between Sri Lanka
and Bangladesh at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in
Galle on March 9, 2013. AFP |
Mathews could add only two runs. He intended to play to leg and
played too early at a ball from Abdul Hassan and top edged to be caught
and bowled. His 27 runs were made in 60 deliveries which was not his
style.
Sri Lanka’s new vice captain Dinesh Chandimal then joined the stylish
left hander Lahiru Thirimanne and quickened the run rate. Both were
untroubled by the pace and spin of the bowlers as they motored along.
The wicket was playing beautifully with the ball coming on nicely to
the bat. The Bangladeshi bowlers could not get anything out of the
wicket, but kept pegging on gallantly.
The highlight of the morning session was the first Test century made
by Thirimanne. Playing in only his 9th Test and on 99 he lofted a
delivery from left arm spinner Elias Sunny to long on for two to reach
his first dream three figure score. For any batsman making his maiden
100 it was an occasion for celebration. While most batmen would have
jumped, punched the air and done the jig of joy and made wild scenes,
the unassuming Thirimanne only removed his helmet raised his bat
acknowledging the cheers.
When batsmen,bowlers and fielders are wont to go berserk when they
reach a hundred, capture a wicket or grab a catch, Thirimanne, the
former Prince of Wales College and now Ragama CC cricketer was an
example. Well done HETTIGE DON RUMESH LAHIRU THIRIMANNE.
Right hand batsman Chandimal started off watchfully, but once he got
his eye in, he broke out into some lovely stroke play and reached his 50
with an elegant square cut to the boundary.
Both batsmen quickened the rate of scoring and took the score to 461
for 4 at lunch with Thirimanne on 113 and Chandimal on 55. In the 137
minutes of play in the morning session Sri Lanka scored 100 runs. It was
slow going considering the 132 they made at lunch on day one.
In the post lunch session 24 year old Chandimal former Dharmasoka,
Ananda and Nonsescript cricketer too reached his maiden century when he
clipped a ball from Moimunul Haque to third man.
He too like Thirimanne, removed his helmet raised his bat and
acknowledged the cheers, cutting out any wild celebrations. Well done
LOKUGE DINESH CHANDIMAL. Both Thirimanne and Chandimal were examples.
With the score on 570 for 4, Mathews ended the agony for the visitors
by declaring the innings closed with Thirimanne unbeaten on 155 with 14
fours in 256 balls and 426 minutes.
Chandimal was 116 not out with 12 fours, two big sixes made in 151
balls, batting for 190 minutes. Their 5th wicket stand was worth 203 in
272 deliveries. It was a grand stand that gave momentum to the innings.
In the 36 minutes batting time left before the tea break, Bangladesh
lost the wicket of Jahurul Islm for a breezy 20 with 4 fours. He was
taken behind by Chandimal off Shamindra Eranga off a delivery that
pitched and moved. Galle, Saturday.
SCOREBOARD
SRI LANKA – 1ST INNINGS (overnight 361-3)
D. Karunaratne lbw b Gazi 41
T. Dilshan c Mominul b Gazi 54
K. Sangakkara c Jahurul b Gazi 142
L. Thirimanne not out 155
A. Mathews c and b Hasan 27
D. Chandimal not out 116
Extras (b8, lb17, nb7, w3) 35
Total (for four wickets decl; 135 overs) 570
Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Dilshan; Karunaratne retd on 46)
2-181 (Karunaratne), 3-305 (Sangakkara)
4-367 (Mathews)
Bowling: Hossain 21-2-95-0 (nb3)
Hasan 27-4-112-1 (nb4, w3)
Gazi 50-6-164-3
Sunny 20-0-89-0
Ashraful 4-0-23-0
Mahmudullah 11-1-45-0
Mominul 2-0-17-0
BANGLADESH - 1ST INNINGS
Jahurul Islam c Chandimal b Eranga 20
Anamul Haque b Mendis 13
Mohammad Ashraful not out 65
Mominul Haque not out 35
Extras (lb1, nb1) 02
Total (for two wickets; in 43 overs) 135
Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Jahurul), 2-65 (Anamul)
Bowling: Kulasekara 8-0-28-0 (nb1)
Eranga 9-3-25-1
Herath 12-2-33-0
Mendis 5-0-28-1
Mathews 3-0-5-0
Dilshan 6-2-15-0 |
