Damitha Hunukumbura and AK Tyronne put on a fighting 77 run partnership for the 8th wicket to save Galle CC from an embarrassing defeat to Bloomfield after the hosts’ captain Nipun Karunanayake smashed a cracking 183 at Reid Avenue.
Galle CC had a mammoth 435 run target to achieve on the final day of the game against Bloomfield at Bloomfield grounds.
The visitors got off to the worst possible start losing their first wicket with just 8 runs on board. From then on, Bloomfield went on to grab wickets at regular intervals and had Galle CC staring down the barrel, being 90 for the loss of 6 wickets at one time.
Dulash Udayanga and Damitha Hunukumbura put on 53 runs for the 7th wicket and gave a glimpse of hope for Galle CC. Udayanga was dismissed for a fighting 23 off 47 balls as the end loomed ever so close for Galle CC.
Damitha Hunukumbura took responsibility and stepped up to the task scoring 56 off 108 balls. AK Tyronne provided vital support in the dying embers of the day and saved Galle CC from an outright loss. Tyronne managed an unbeaten 41 in the process and helped end the game in a draw.
Earlier in the day, resuming from 115 for 4 at the end of day two, Bloomfield went on to make a mammoth 343 in their second innings.
Karunanayake continued from being 38 overnight to score a magnificent 183 off 165 balls with 11 fours and 8 sixes. Tiran Dhanapala provided immense support to Karunanayake with a 66 of his own which included 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Brief Scores:
Bloomfield C&AC: 276 (100.3) Adeesha Nanayakkara 78, Lahiru Jayakody 48, Vinod Perera 46, Nipun Karunanayake 30, Roshan Jayathiss 4/64, Sajeewa Weerakon 3/85, Chalana de Silva 2/70
Galle CC: 185 (54.2) Damitha Hunukumbura 54, Chalana de Silva 32, Malith de Silva 5/60, Lahiru Sanjaya 3/52
Bloomfield 2nd Innings: 343/7d (69.2) Nipun Karunanayake 183, Thiran Dhanapala 66, Chalana de Silva 3/100, Dilhan Cooray 2/41, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/91
Galle CC 2nd Innings: 220/7 (55) Damitha Hunukumbura 56*, AK Tyronne 41*, Malith de Silva 3/37, Imran Khan 2/63
Result: Match drawn, Bloomfield won first innings.
