Umesh had nine hits to the ropes in his innings. Earlier Indika Udayanga (27), Manoj Chathuranga (41) and Nuwan Ratnayake (28) batted well for Richmond. Medium placeman Sulalith Samendra (5 for 71) bowled extremely well for Mahinda.
Mahinda were reeling at 66 for 4 wickets with Duminda Munasinghe unbeaten on 28. Chief scores:
RICHMOND 233 (Indika Udayanga 27, Manoj Chathuranga 41, Nuwan Ratnayake 28, Umesh Wijesiriwardena 70, Ranga Abeysekera 23, Sulalith Samendra 5 for 71, Thushara Rajapakse 2 for 60, Hirantha Wijesinghe 2 for 50)
MAHINDA 66 for 4 at close (Hasitha Dharshana 20, Duminda Munasinghe 28 n.o, Umesh Wijesiriwardena 2 for 25, Ranga Abeysekera 2 for 9)
Day 2: Thusara Rupasinghe's century - the highlight
Mahinda P. Liyanage Galle Central Special Cor.
THUSARA RUPASINGHE'S fine century (109) for Mahinda studded with 12 hits to the ropes and a six was the highlight of their drawn 93rd 'Big match' with traditional rivals Richmond, at Galle esplanade yesterday.
With this century, Thusara also entered Mahinda's record books as the first to score two half centuries, including a ton in two consecutive 'Big matches' in the series since 1905. At last year's 'big match', Thusara scored 53 runs in the first innings.
Thusara's century for Mahinda came after 26 years.
Richmond 233 all out (Indika Udayanga 27, Manoj Chaturanga 41, Nuwan Ratnayake 28, Umesh Wijesiriwardana 70, Ranga Abeysekara 23, Sulalith Samendra 5/71, Thusara Rupasinghe 2/60, Hirantha Wijesinghe 2/50) and 175 for 9 wkts. (Primal Buddhika 36, Oshad Sumathipala 65, Omesh Wijesiriwardana 10, Pradeep Kumara 11, N. Ratnaweera 10. Bowling: P. Kumara 2/24, H. Wijesinghe 2/42, D. Munasinghe 3/6).
Mahinda 1st innings 252 for 9 declared (Harith Dharsana 20, Duminda Munasinghe 45, Thusara Rupasinghe 109, Udyoga Lakmal 24, Mahen Ranasinghe 18, Omesh Wijesiriwardana 4/57, Ranga Abeysekara 2/28, Pradeep Kumara 2/52).