Wayamba Royal College Kurunegala were 109/4 in their second innings after they were asked to follow on and settle for a draw against Sir John Kotelawala College Kurunegala in their 15th Battle of the Greens encounter which concluded at Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala on Saturday.
Resuming from their overnight score of 41/1 Wayamba Royal could manage only 120 in their first innings after batting for 69 overs. Skipper Sithara Deshan top scored with 43 in 81 balls with 7 fours. Apart from him only Indusara Nuwan (17) entered for double figures. Gimhan Alahakoon (3/31) and Sanuka Kemsara (3/15) shared 6 wickets between them.
Wayamba Royal fared well in their second innings thanks mainly to their skipper Sithara Deshan, who was unbeaten on 40 in 101 balls with 4 fours when stumps were drawn. Semina Yasas captured 3/51 for Sir John Kotelawala College.
After inviting to bat first Sir John Kotelawala College posted 229 in their first innings on day one after batting 73.4 overs. Wicket keeper batsman Dushan Hansika (59 in 121 balls with 7 fours) and right handed middle order batsman Bagya Ishan (77 in 177 balls with 8 fours) scored two fine half centuries. These two had put on 102 runs for the fifth wicket in 194 balls after they were reeling at 56/4 at one stage.
For Wayamba Royal medium pacer Pasindu Piushan,later who was named as the game changer of the match, did most of the damage by capturing 3/46 while Dulina Randika (2/54) and Oveen Sahas (2/50) also bowled well.
Special awards:
Best Batsman- Bagya Ishan (Sir John Kotelawala College)
Best Bowler- Gimhan Alahakoon (Sir John Kotelawala College)
Best Fielder- Sanuka Kemsara (Sir John Kotelawala College)
The power hitter of the match- Sithara Deshan (Wayamba Royal College)
Player of the match- Sanuka Kemsara (Sir John Kotelawala College)
Chief Scores:
Sir John Kotelawala 229 (Sanuka Kemsara 34, Dushan Hansika 59, Bagya Ishan 77, Mohommad Jazil 18, Pasindu Piushan 3/46, Dulina Randika 2/54, Oveen Sahas 2/50)
Wayamba Royal 120 (Sithara Deshan 43, Indusara Nuwan 17, Gimhan Alahakoon 3/31, Sanuka Kemsara 3/15) and 109/4 at stumps (Kethmika Savinijith 24, Sithara Deshan 40 n.o, Matheesha Pankaja 16 n.o, Semina Yasas 3/51).
Vijitha Senaratne