The fourth round of group stage matches in the SLC U23 Inter-Provincial Two-Day Cricket Tournament 2017 ended today with North Western Province, Western Province South and Western Province North registering outright victories.
North Western Province vs Northern Province
After the bowlers dominated the opening day with 20 wickets, North Western Province had the advantage with a 44-run 1st innings lead in the game played at Bloomfield grounds. North Western lads came out all guns blazing in the second essay as they managed to score 207 for 3 declared in 45 overs. Stylish left-hander Minod Bhanuka was the star in the 2nd innings as he stroked a brilliant 115 along with Leo Francisco who chipped in with a timely half-ton. Chasing 252 runs to win in the fourth innings, Northern Province were dismissed for a modest 160 as North Western Province won by 91 runs. Leg- spinner Aravinda Akuregoda took a 5-fer along with Tharindu Rathnayake who claimed four scalps to demolish the Northern batting line-up.
Brief scores
North Western Province 190 (60) Leo Francisco 42, Sachin Jayawardana 38*, Sachith Lakshan 6/38 & 207/3d (45) Minod Bhanuka 115, Leo Francisco 52, K Kapilraj 2/20.
Northern Province 146 (31.3) Parakrama Tennakoon 39, Asitha Fernando 6/42 & 160 (40) Dulaj Ranathunga 30, G Ratheeshan 30, Parakrama Thennakoon 21, Aravinda Akurugoda 5/33, Tharindhu Rathnayaka 4/48.
Result – NW Province won by 91 runs.
Central Province vs North Central Province
Chasing 333 runs to register 1st innings points, the North Central lads were cleaned up for 240 after been 158 for 6 on day 1 in the game played at BRC grounds. Having the advantage of the 1st innings, Central Province managed to score 213/9 declared as all-rounder Raveen Sayer stroked an outstanding century to put Central in a commanding position. Chasing 306 runs to win, North Central Province manage to draw the game as they were 127/9 at the close of play. Central lads came ever so close to an outright win but had to satisfy themselves with first innings points.
Brief scores
Central Province 332/7 d (59) Nimesha Gunasinghe 113, Wanindu Hasaranga 54, Dilan Jayalath 52, Thanuka Dabare 38, Shaluka silva 2/77, Sandeepa Sewminda 2/52 & 213/9d (39.3) Ravin Sayer 107, Lahiru Samarakoon 26, Dilan Jayalath 23, Helakamal Nanayakkara 3/09, Kasun Weeranga 2/41, Jagath Rajapaksha 2/60.
North Central Province 240 (63.3) Ajith Rajapaksha 66, Dineth Hewathanthri 56, Harith Maduwantha 31, Kasun Weeranga 31, Kavindu Madarasinghe 30, Charith Sudaraka 4/37, Lahiru Samarakoon 2/42 & 127/9 (42) Dineth Hewathanthri 27, Kavindu Madarasinghe 23, Harith Maduwantha 22, Mohomad Shiraz 3/26, Charith Sudaraka 2/12, Lakshan Fernando 2/16, Wanidu Hasaranga 2/40.
Result – Match drawn
Uva Province vs Western Province South
Western Province South declared their innings on 273/8 after an outstanding opening day in the game played at Police grounds. After a disappointing 1st innings effort, Uva Province made a better effort in the second innings but couldn’t make an impact in the game as they folded for 213 inside 74 overs. Lisula Lakshan’s classy 81 was the shining light in a demoralizing batting performance by Uva Province, while left-arm spinner Sandakan Pathirana took a match bag of 9 for 110 to demolish the opponents. Chasing 35 to win, Western Province cruised to victory by 10 wickets.
Brief scores
Uva Province 94 (44.4) Navindu Nirmal 20, Hashan Vimarshaka 20*,Ilain Hettiarachchi 2/13, Mishen Silva 2/17, Sandakan Pathirana 4/29, Lakshitha Manasinghe 2/27 & 213 (73.4) Lisula Lakshan 81, Yeshan Wickramarachchi 33, Meedum Dineth 32, Harsha Rajapaksha 25, Sandakan Pathirana 5/81, Pramodh Madhuwantha 3/39.
Western Province South 273/8d (53) Malindu Maduranga 50, Mohammed Jaleel 46, Mishen silva 42, Pramod Maduwantha 48, Akila Lakshan 27, Anjula Prasannajith 3/29, Ivanka Sanjula 2/97 & 35/0 (6.2) Minhaj Jaleel 25*.
Result – WP South won by 10 wickets.
Southern Province vs Western Province North
Resuming on 105 for 7, Western Province North lads needed 65 runs to secure 1st innings points in the game played in Hambantota. Former Peterite skipper Lakshina Rodrigo and Nishan Pieris scored fighting half-tons for WP North as they ended up on 224 all out in the 66th over. coming out to bat in the second innings Southern Province were bamboozled once again by the off-spinner Nishan Pieris who took a match-bag of 9 wickets as they were bowled out for 111 in 39 overs. Chasing 57 to win, WP North were hardly troubled as they secured an outright victory.
Brief scores
Southern Province 169 (59) Malith Mahela 46, Ramesh Mendis 41, Nisham Pieris 4/38 & 111 (39) Sajith Sankalpa 23*, Dulaj Udayanga 22, Nishan Pieris 5/48.
Western Province North 224 (65.5) Lakshina Rodrigo 69, Nishan Pieris 56, Sahan Arachchige 24, Dishan Sandaruwan 4/38, Adeesha Thilanchana 2/26, Sajith Sankalpa 2/49 & 59/0 (19) Salinda Ushan 36*, Kaveen Bandara 23*.
Result – WP North won by 10 wickets.
