Janaka and Suranga pilot Basnahira Greens to victory

by Sajeewa Jayakody

With Janaka Gunaratne's sound knock and Suranga Lakmal's outstanding figures of 3 for 20, Basnahira Greens recorded a 14-run victory over Uthura Yellows in the curtain raiser of the Sri Lanka Cricket Super 4s Twenty20 Tournament, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

After being put into bat, Basnahira Greens were struggling at 43 for 3. Since then, hard hitting Gunaratne, who excelled during the last domestic 50-over tournament, smashed four sixes and a four during his 40-run knock off 31 balls.

Kithuruwan Vithanage scored an unbeaten brisk 22 in just 14 balls after the aggressive left hander cleared the boundary line in two occasions. Earlier, openers Dilshan Munaweera and Dimuth Karunaratne batted patiently to put on 32 runs before Munaweera departing for 17. Karunaratne made 22 and with the help of Kosala Kulasekara's 15 off 12 balls, Greens made 139 runs.

Uthuru Yellows, who set 140 runs, were given a good start as openers Mahela Udawatte and Ashan Priyanjan making good shot selections. The pair struck six boundaries and the Yellows' run chase hampered after wickets lost at regular intervals as Udawatte was caught by Munaweera off skipper Angelo Mathews and Priyanjan was out for 26.

Yellows' skipper Sri Lanka Twenty20 captain Dinesh Chandimal chipped in with 19 runs off 20 deliveries and guided his team with Jeevan Mendis, who made 19 from 20 balls before the left hander was bowled by Suranga Lakmal.

Devastating Thisara Perera who arrived at the crease in the 16th over, smashed 17 off just nine balls powering Uthura Yellows with two fours and a massive six before he was caught by Sachithra Senanayake off Suranga Lakmal. Lakmal bowled brilliantly during his spell conceding 20 runs taking the prized wicket of Perera, who was easing things towards Yellows' victory. Lakmal, who played in the last Twenty20 against South Africa in Hambantota completed his figures with three for 20 in his four-over quota.

Brief scores:

Basnahira Greens: 139/6 in 20 overs (Janaka Gunaratne 40, Kithuruwan Vithanage 22 n.o, Dimuth Karunaratne 22, Dilshan Munaweera 17, Kosala Kulasekara 15, Akila Dhananjaya 2/20, Sohan Boralessa 2/33).

Uthura Yellows: 125/9 in 20 overs (Ashan Priyanjan 26, Dinesh Chandimal 19, Jeevan Mendis 19, Thisara Perera 18, Mahela Udawatte 15, Suranga Lakmal 3/20, Isuru Udana 2/26).

Sanga, Prasad excel

Star batsman Kumar Sangakkara compiled a brilliant 49 runs and paceman Dhammika Prasad took three wickets and helped Kandurata Maroons to defeat Ruhuna Reds by 13 runs in the day's second match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Sangakkara, who has been a sweet timer, eased the things for Maroons smashing 49 in 35 balls. The experienced Lankan batsman, who gathered the bulk of runs during recently concluded limited overs series against South Africa, cracked five fours and a six during his match changing innings. Maroons captain Lahiru Thirimanne made 25 off 14 balls with two fours a six and guided Kandurata towards a commanding 159 runs on the board.

Chasing a 160-run target, Ruhuna Reds openers Tillekratne Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera were unable make a sound impact as Dilshan was caught behind off Dilhara Lokuhettige for 9 when the scoreboard at 15. Perera was bowled by part-timer Shehan Jayasuriya for 11.

Yasodha Lanka and Dilruwan Perera was eying victory for Reds as Lanka made a run-ball 36 with three boundaries and big hitting Perera made an unbeaten 24 runs off 12 balls hitting two fours a six. Reds were restricted for 146 with some accurate bowling by Kandura Maroons led by Dhammika Prasad, who scalped three for 21. Nuwan Kulasekara took two for 36.

The series will continue on Monday at 9.45 am from the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Kandurata Maroons: 159/8 in 20 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 49, Upul Tharanga 36, Lahiru Thirimanne 25, Chamara Silva 13, Nuwan Kulasekara 12, Dilruwan Perera 3/26, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/35).

Ruhuna Reds: 146/9 in 20 overs (Yasodha Lanka 36, Angelo Perera 25, Dilruwan Perera 24 n.o, Farveez Maharoof 17, Kusal Janith Perera 11, Dhammika Prasad 3/21, Nuwan Kulasekara 2/36).