Sri Lanka fell short by 6 runs, chasing 203 in 30 overs as the Australians clinch the 6th Lawyers Cricket World Cup 2017 in a thriller. The final was concluded today at SSC grounds.
Sri Lanka and Australia were beaten by Pakistan and India in the Semi- finals but they have included players who are not Lawyers and some of the players were 1st class cricketers. so, the tournament committee and has decided to disqualify them and an automatic qualification for the finals to Sri Lanka and Australia.
Been asked to bat first in a 33 over game, Australia posted a formidable 224/8 in the 1st half of the game. Left-hander Jon Whelaing was the star the Aussies with a magnificent 82 ball 105 that included 17 fours and a six. Both seamers Yohan Jinasena and Asela Patabadi grabbed 3 wickets each for the hosts in the bowling department.
In pursuit of 225 to win, the Lankan batters had to go after the bowling from the very 1st over. The home team were 174/5 in 26.5 overs when rain halted the game for a while and play resumed as the target revised to 203 in 30 overs according to D/L method. The hosts came ever so close to the target but fell short by 6 runs as they ended on 196 for 9 in 30 overs.
Nick Layden was the chief destroyer with the ball as he bagged four crucial wickets, while right-hander Thusitha Ranathunga made a quick-fire 52 off 42 deliveries, but his efforts went in vain as Australia overcame Sri Lanka by 6 runs to lift the title.
Brief Scores
Australia – 224/8 in 33 overs – Jon Whelaing 105, Seb Reid 31, Garath Mc Casker 24, Asela Patabedi 3/31, Yohan Jinasena 3/53.
Sri Lanka 196/9 in 30 overs – Thusitha Ranathunga 52, Ershan Attanayake 29, Asela Patabadi 26, Thusith Pallewatta 23*, Nick Layden 4/31.
Result – Australia won by 6 runs (D/L Method)
