Central Province trounced Western Province North in the final of the SLC U23 Inter-Provincial Two-day tournament which concluded today at CCC grounds.
Resuming on 16/1, Western Province North struggled early on day two losing Salinda Ushan for 14. Central Province left-arm seamer Pramodya Abeykoon was impressive with the new ball along with Mohommad Shiraz and Lahiru Samarakoon as they kept Western Province North at 51 for 3 as they had a daunting task.
Sri Lankan youth cap Sammu Ashan and left-hander Sahan Arachchige got together and put up a 44-run stand for the 4th wicket but it was left-arm spinner Charith Sudaraka who came in to the attack and removed the star batsman Sammu Ashan for a well-made 33. Former Peterite skipper Lakshina Rodrigo was dismissed cheaply for 6 off the bowling of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga as Central Province ruled the game at 104/5.
Former Anandian Sahan Arachchige stroked a solid 32 but he was undone by leg-spinner Lakshan Fernando as the target looked like long way off for Western Province North.
The wily fast bowler Mohmmad Shiraz was outstanding in his second spell as he removed the tail and finished with 4/45 in his 12 overs to demolish the WP North innings for a disappointing 176 all out in 45.2 overs. Central Province posted a formidable 293 after been 30 for 3 early in the game as they secured convincing 1st innings win over the Westerners.
Central Province skipper Ron Chandragupta straight away enforced the follow-on, chasing an outright victory. Western Province North lost Kavin Bandara and Pathum Nissanka early in the second innings as they were 82 for 2 at tea time trailing by 31 runs.
Sammu Ashan and Salinda Ushan got together and put up a 127-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to salvage pride for the WP North lads in the second innings. Ashan made a solid 60, while Ushan stroked 87 off 139 balls to end the 2nd day on 208/4 in 51.2 overs.
Skipper Ron Chandragupta and Mohommad Shiraz were top performers with bat and ball in the tournament for Central lads. It was former Sri Lankan cricketer Saman Jayantha coached the Central Province team to a successful journey.
Brief scores
Central Province 293 (76) Nimesha Gunasinghe 80, Nuwanidu Fernando 76, Lahiru Samarakoon 38, Lakshan Fernando 35, Raveen Sayer 32, Binura Fernando 4/39, Duvindu Thilakarathna 4/98
Western Province North 176 (45.2) Sammu Ashan 33, Sahan Arachchige 32, Charana Nanayakkara 32, Binura Fernando 24, Mohomad Shiraz 4/45, Charith Sudaraka 2/18 & F/O 208/4 (51.2) Salinda Ushan 87, Sammu Ashan 60, Pathum Nissanka 25, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/42.
Result – Match drawn (Central Province won on 1st innings)
