Nilu Mendis helps Lanka Women's CC to a 34-run win

by Priyan de Silva - Matara Sports Corr.

Left-hand batswoman Nilu Thanuja Mendis plucked 79 runs off 69 balls with eight boundaries and a six and captured four wickets to help Lanka Women's Cricket Club beat the Matara Sports Club Women's XI by 34 runs at the Uyanwatta Stadium last Saturday (20th).

The 30 overs per side division two game of the Women's Cricket Tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket was reduced to 22 overs per side due to a late start.

Matara SC skipper Malsha Shehani won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first.

The Matara girls gave away 49 extras (5 Byes, 2 Leg byes, 41 wides and 1 No Ball) in addition to Nilu's 79 runs saw Lanka Women's CC end their innings at 158/7.

Malsha Shehani and Nadeesha Dilani captured two wickets each.

Openers Kaumudi de Silva (18) and Malsha Shehani (42) off 49 deliveries with eight boundaries, shared a 66-run partnership for the first wicket. Lihini Apsara scored 25 off 31 balls.

Nilu Mendis, bowling right-arm medium-pace captured four wickets while Gayathri Liyanage (15 runs from five overs) and Inosha Ranasinghe (16 runs from four overs) kept the runs in check.

Lanka Women's CC: 158/7 in 22 overs (Nilu Mendis 79, Piumi Fernando 11, Nadeesha Dilani 2/30 Malsha Shehani 2/32 Lihini Apsara 1/9, Susima Delani 1/14, Nimalka Chamodini 1/19).

Matara Sports Club Women's XI: 124/8 in 22 overs (Malsha Shehani 42, Lihini Apsara 25, Kaumudi de Silva 18, Nilu Mendis 4/42, Kanchana Perera 1/24).