The Friday morning rains hampered the start of the 2015 ‘Big Match’ season when the start of the 52nd Battle of the Brothers traditional encounter between Thurstan College and Isipathana College got delayed at SSC grounds.
The match commenced after the lunchtime at 1.00pm. Thurstan skipper Thimira Jayasinghe won the toss and elected to field on a surface which was under covers for some time. Isipathana openers, Davis Imesha and Salinda Ushan got off to a steady start and when the score was 42, left-handed Salinda was dismissed for 12 by left-armer Rusiru Munasinghe. A momentary stand of 26 runs for the 2nd wicket between Davis Imesha and one-drop batsman Praneeth Dias came to an end when the right-handed Imesha became Sulochana Silva’s only wicket. Imesha made 41 with 5 fours and a six.
Wicket-keeper batsman Vishad Randika and Dias continued to steady the Pathana ship with a 66-run valuable stand for the 3rd wicket. The pair was divided when the score was on 134 for 3 when Dias became Rusiru Munasinghe’s 2nd scalp of the match. Right-handed Dias made a slow 27. Randika continued to score runs alongside Pramod Maduwantha as the pair carried the team to a safe 172 for 3 at close of play. Only 60 overs were possible on day one. Randika remained unbeaten on 58 in 83 balls while left-hander Maduwantha was not out on 17.
The match will be continued on 28th February.
Chief Scores:
Isipathana – 172/3 in 60 overs: Vishad Randika 58*, Davis Imesha 41, Praneeth Dias 27, Rusiru Munasinghe 2/25.
