Lion Warriors thrashed Nawaloka ‘B’ by 5 wickets in the Venora LMS Race to Cape Town 2017 Cricket Finals which concluded (24) at Moors grounds.
Nawaloka ‘B’ got the opportunity to bat first in the afternoon on a batting friendly Moors surface. They piled up runs at a hectic pace but in the same time they lost wickets. Right-handed Dushan Vimukthi was the main contributor with 21 ball 52 which included 5 sixes and 3 boundaries, while Rasika Sampath chipped in with a brisk 37. The Lion Warriors bowlers restricted Nawaloka ‘B’ for 145 in 15.3 overs.
In pursuit of the title, hard- hitting left-hander Himasha Liyanage stroked a superb half-ton and he was ably supported by super star and skipper Ajantha Mendis who steered them once again with a 23 ball 44 to clinch the Last Man Stands title by 5 wickets in a one sided final.
Brief Scores – Finals
Nawaloka ‘B’ – 145 (15.3) Dushan Vimukthi 52, Rasika Sampath 37, Charith Mendis 21, Nawantha Rathnayaka 2/09, Janaka Sampath 2/16, Ajantha Mendis 2/30.
Lion Warriors – 147/3 (17.4) Himasha Liyanage 50 (retired), Ajantha Mendis 44, Rasika Sampath 2/29.
Result – Lion Warriors won by 5 wickets
Earlier before the finals day, Last Man Stands Sri Lanka co-franchise owner Mr. Sheran Fernando, informed that the District Court of Marawila not only suspended but also vacated the injunction order that Heshan Flexe had taken on 21 September 2017 against Last Man Stands Sri Lanka from staging the final and semi-finals.
Lions Warriors secured their place in the final beating Nawaloka ‘A’ in the first semi-final while DCC was defeated by Nawaloka ‘B’ in the other semi-final.
Semi Final 1
Lion Warriors 205/2 (14) Lakshitha Madushan 51(retired), Janith Chathuranga 50(retired), Himasha Liyanage 21*, Laksha Edirisinghe 21, Buddika Gayan Abewardena 2/45.
Nawaloka A 115/4 (14) Asantha Kumara 50(retired), Ashan Rathnasuriya 27.
Result – Lion Warriors won by 90 runs.
Semi Final 2
Nawaloka B 164/5 (16) Thilina Pathum Dilshan 68*, Dushan Vimukthi 50(retired), Charith Mendis 27, Sanjeewa Jayarathne 2/30.
DCC 116/7 (16) Sanjeewa Jayarathne 75*, Dushan Vimukthi 4/17.
Result – Nawaloka B won by 48 runs.
