by Chris Dhambarage
Isipatana Skipper Muditha Fernando stole the limelight on the second day of the 35th annual cricket encounter against the traditional rivals Thurstan which ended in a draw at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.
Fernando entered his name in the record books as he became the first Isipatanian to compile twin fifties in the series. He followed up his knock of 70 in the first innings by stroking an unbeaten 52 in the second innings.
Fernando also came in at the fall of the third wicket, batted quite aggressively and collected his runs in just 50 deliveries. He also hoisted three sixes and struck three boundaries while occupying the crease for 75 minutes. He figured in an unfinished fifth wicket stand of 44 runs along with Kanchana Rodrigo.
However Isipatana delayed their declaration until 4.00 p.m. with their score at 159 for 4, made in the 44th over. That left Thurstan with a victory target of 232 runs to be made in just 26 overs. The Thurstanites lost both openers cheaply during their run chase and soon put up their shutters and settled down for a draw.
Thurstan eventually scord 110 for 2 in their second innings with skipper Tharindu Wickremasinghe compiling an unbeaten half century with the help of six boundaries. Along with Dhammika Premadasa the pair figured in an unfinished third wicket stand of 87 runs.
Earlier two hours of play was lost due to a wet outfield and the game commenced at 12.15 p.m. after an early lunch.
Club Cricket News: Bloomfield in innings win over Panadura
Defending Sara trophy champs Bloomfield completed a comprehensive innings and 161 runs win over Panadura SC in their Division One Sara Trophy (Segment 'A') match concluded at Reid Avenue yesterday.
Panadura SC facing a massive first innings deficit of 326 runs, were dismissed for 165 in their second innings after being forced to follow-on. Fast-medium bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne took four wickets for 34 runs to finish the match off 50 minutes ahead of lunch on the final day. He ended the match with a bag of 8 for 79.
Bloomfield 517 for 7 decl.;
Panadura SC 191 and 133 for 3 contd. 165 in 42.5 overs (Chamath Perera 49, D. Wickremasinghe 60, N. Jayalath 17, P. Gunaratne 4 for 34, R.L. Perera 2 for 34) - [S.T.]
CCC triumph
CCC kept alive their chances of qualifying for a place in the Division One Sara Trophy (Segment 'A') semi-finals when they took first innings points from Colts at Havelock Park yesterday.
Colts who were promisingly placed at 167 for 3 overnight chasing CCC's total of 352, were dismissed for 296 with Jeevantha Kulatunga scoring 55 with seven fours. In the remaining time, CCC added extra batting bonus points by scoring 176 for 2 with Nilantha Bopage stroking an unbeaten 108 in 145 minutes (1 six, 15 fours).
CCC 352 and 176 for 2 at stumps in 35.4 overs (N. Bopage 1008 n.o., B. Ediriweera 23, S.K.L. de Silva 21, T.T. Samaraweera 2 for 40)
Colts (167 for 3 contd.) 296 in 114.5 overs (T. Sampath 33, J. Kulatunga 55, D. Vitharana 16, S. Alexander 13, I. Gallage 3 for 62, M.H. Rushdy 2 for 57,, A. Dalugoda 3 for 84, N. Rajan 2 for 81)