Trinity in thrilling two-run win

S M Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

Trinity College scored a thrilling two-run win over St Anthony’s College to regain the Sir Richard Aluwihare Trophy in their 30th limited over clash played at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy yesterday.

The Antonians chasing a victory target of 231 runs needed 13 runs in the final over bowled by off spinner Kavinda Jayasuriya. They went for it but fell short by two runs as they were all out for 228 runs.

Trinity College won the toss and took first strike and were sitting pretty at one stage with the scoreboard reading 109 for 2 but four quick wickets fell and they were reeling at 123 for 6.

Janishka Premasinghe made 56 with one six and 8 fours and put on 55 for the first wicket with Niroshan Dickwella. The lower order batting was held together by skipper Akila Jayasundera who scored 46 with 5 fours and a six.

There were four run outs in Trinity innings. Leg spinner Saranga Rajaguru took 2 for 44 and Hiran Wickremaskera 2 for 34.

The Antonian started on a quit note and were 108 for 5 at one stage before Saranga Rajaguru tore into the attack with an innings of 70 which had two sixes and five fours. But wickets fell and they were 218 for 9 when the last over was bowled and they were all out for 228.

Left arm spinner Aamil Anas took 3 for 30 and Tissa Bandara 2 for 25.

Awards.

Best Fielder: Akila Jayasundera (TCK).

Best Bowler: Aamil Anas (TCK)

Best Batsman: Saranga Rajaguru (SACK).

Man of the Match: Janishka Premasinghe (TCK).

With this win Trinity equalled the series tally and both teams have 14 wins each with two matches ending in ‘no decisions’.

Trinity College: 230 all out in 46.5 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 35, Janishka Premasinghe 35, Ron Chandragupta 31, Akila Jayasundera 41, Saranga Rajaguru 2 for 44, Hiran Wickremasekera 2 for 34).

St Anthony’s College: 228 all out in 50 overs (Hiran Wickremesekera 43, Saranga Rajaguru 70, Yohan Woods 30, Kanishka Ranaraja 25, Aamil Anas 3 for 30, Tissa Bandara 2 for 25).