Ananda College skipper Sammu Ashan produced a stunning all-round performance to help Colombo Gladiators to a close 2-wicket win over Colombo Eagles in the opening game of the CDCA under 21 inter zonal tournament 2015 which ended at Moors grounds on Wednesday.
The 19-year old Sammu Ashan aggregated 103 runs with the bat and took an 8-wicket match bag with the ball to be the man of the match. Earlier in the match, the Eagles led by dynamic wicket-keeper batsman, Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bat first. The Eagles managed to score only 125 runs in their first innings. Sebastanite opener Sangeeth Cooray top scored with 34 while the Thomian captain Helakamal Nanayakkara struck 29. Right-arm off spinner Sammu Ashan captured 4 wickets while Benedictine left-arm spinner Yohan Soysa and Josephian off-break bowler Priyamal Perera took 2 wickets each.
The Gladiators led by Sadeera Samarawickrama took a 68-run lead after they were bowled out for only 193 runs in their first innings. Ananda duo Kavishka Anjula and Sammu Ashan made 48 and 45 respectively. Cambrian left-arm spinner Thilan Nimesh bowled a superb spell taking 7 scalps.
The Eagles toiled hard for runs in their 2nd outing and managed only 218 runs. Thilan Nimesh stroked a valiant half-ton while Thomian right-handed batsman Thilaksha Sumanasiri made 46 runs with the bat. Sammu Ashan once again registered his name in the wickets column taking 4 scalps while fast-bowler Charith Rajapakse took 3 wickets.
Chasing 151 runs to win the game on outright, the Gladiators lost wickets at regular intervals but Sammu Ashan kept his cool and composure to strike a match-winning 58 runs and rallied the lower order to win the game with only 2 wickets to spare.
Chief Scores:
Colombo Eagles (1st Inn) – 125 all out in 31.1 overs: Sangeeth Cooray 34, Helakamal Nanayakkara 29, Sammu Ashan 4/36, Yohan Soysa 2/8, Priyamal Perera 2/10.
Colombo Gladiators (1st Inn) – 193 all out in 35 overs: Kavishka Anjula 48, Sammu Ashan 45, Pathum Madushanka 23, Thilan Nimesh 7/53, Sahan Wijesinghe 2/26.
Colombo Eagles (2nd Inn) – 218 all out in 51.1 overs: Thilan Nimesh 55, Thilaksha Sumanasiri 46, Helakamal Nanayakkara 23, Sangeeth Cooray 21, Saammu Ashan 4/69, Charith Rajapakshe 3/44, Yohan Soysa 2/44.
Colombo Gladiators (2nd Inn) – 152/8 in 32 overs: Sammu Ashan 58, Pasindu Isira 28, Thilan Nimesh 2/46, Tharindu Rathnayake 2/54.
