Dilesh Buddhika gave Kanrich a superb start with the ball picking a 5-for while Sahan Wijerathna and Kavindu Kulasekara’s magnificent 125 run partnership helped guide Kanrich Finance to a memorable win over LB Finance in the final of the Mercantile Division ‘B’ Cricket tournament.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Kanrich were given the best possible start as Dilesh Buddhika bagged the first 3 wickets of Lakshan Rodrigo, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama within the first 5 overs. Wickets at regular intervals from then on meant LB Finance had to settle for a rather below par total of 237 in 50 overs.
Charith Sudaraka was the only batsman to make an impact on the LB Finance score as he battled hard to make 44 runs off 105 balls which included just 1 boundary. Keshan Wijerathna and Rajeewa Weerasinghe managed a late surge as the two low order batsmen managed 37 and 27 respectively.
Dilesh Buddhika bagged a magnificent 5 for 67 in his 10 overs while Roshan Laksiri managed 2 wickets for just 25 runs for Kanrich.
LB Finance inflicted early damage on the Kanrich chase as Shiran Fernando picked 2 early wickets. However, a good partnerships by the middle order batsmen meant Kanrich went on to reach the target 238 in 47.2 overs.
Sahan Wijerathne top scored for Kanrich with 64 while left-handed Damith Priyadharshana managed a quick fire 55 off just 36 balls smashing 6 fours and 4 sixes. Former Sri Lanka U19 cap, Kavindu Kulasekara steered Kanrich home as he notched up an unbeaten 60 off 89 balls.
Fast-bowler Shiran Fernando managed 3 Kanrich wickets while off-spinner Rajeewa Weerasinghe bagged 2 for 26 in a losing cause for LB Finance.
Brief Scores:
LB Finance – 237 for 8 in 50 overs. (Charith Sudaraka 44, Keshan Wijerathna 37, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 27, Dilesh Buddhika 5/67)
Kanrich Finance – 241 for 7 in 47.2 overs. (Sahan Wijerathne 64, Kavindu Kulasekara 60*, Damith Priyadharshana 55, Shiran Fernando 3/43, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 2/26)
