Defending Champions, MAS Unichela completed their 2nd victory in the new season when they handed the 2nd straight defeat to John Keells Holdings in a Mecantile division ‘A’ match played at P.Sara Oval on Sunday.
John Keells won the toss and elected to bat first on a sunny morning. John Keels batting line up struggled to post a defendable score as they were bowled out before batting their 50 overs for just 213 runs. Left-handed Lahiru Milantha continued his good batting form when he scored 44 runs while middle-order pair of Janaka Gunarathne and Ishan Jayarathne played pivotal knocks of 54 and 52 respectively to add spark to the John Keells total.
Seamer Ishara Amerasinghe struck twice while left-arm spinner Sohan Borelessa bowled his 10 overs for just 32 runs capturing 2 wickets. John Keells innings finally came to an end in the 47th over.
Chasing 214 runs to win, destructive opening pair of TM Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera got them off to a brisk start but the most damage was done by Mahela Udawatta who scored 70 runs. Mahela combined well with Prasanna Jayawardene (40) to get their team over the line. Farveez Maharoof stayed till the end to score 28 runs and get their team to the destination with more than 10 overs to spare.
Chief Scores:
John Keells – 213 all out in 46.5 overs: Lahiru Milantha 44, Janaka Gunarathne 54, Ishan Jayaratne 52, Ishara Amerasinghe 2/23, SohanBoralessa 2/32.
MAS Unichela – 214/6 in 39.1 overs: Prasanna Jayawardane 46, Mahela Udawatta 70, Farveez Maharoof 28, Ishan Jayaratne 1/22.
In the other match scheduled on Sunday, Commercial Credit also registered their 2nd win when they trounced Sampath Bank by 51 runs at De Soysa grounds in Moratuwa.
Commercial Credit decided to take the first lease of the wicket after winning the toss. In-form Chamara Kapugedara was the aggressor as he made a fluent 94 runs to help his team post a formidable score 243 runs. 22-year old Left-arm spinner Hasitha Nirmal bowled a superb spell to take 3 wickets conceding 50 runs while Asitha Chamara captured 2 scalps.
Chasing 244 runs to win, Sampath Bank faulted apart of Thilina Kandamby’s knock of 86 as they fell short of 51 runs. Sampath innings came to an end in the 46th over with left-arm leg spinner Malinda Pushpakumara being the chief destroyer taking 4 wickets while right-arm quickie Lahiru Gamage captured 2 wickets up front.
Chief Scores:
Commercial Credit – 243 all out in 48.4 overs: Chamara Kapugedara 94, Hasitha Nirmal 3/50, Asitha Chamara 2/48.
Sampath Bank – 192 all out in 45.2 overs: Thilina Kandamby 86, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/34, Lahiru Gamage 2/22.
