The Sri Lanka Legends team played their first game of the 5-team Road Safety World Series today against the Australia Legends team and registered a thrilling 7-run win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The good old days of Sri Lankan Cricket were reminded once again as the Lankan legends started scoring with their signature shots after winning the toss and electing to bat first. The top order consisting of Captain TM Dilshan, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu and Chamara Kapugedera all chipped in with valuable contributions.
TM Dilshan to lead Sri Lanka Legends
The stand out performance out of the batsmen came from Kaluwitharana’s bat as he stroked few classic boundaries showing that class is a permanent thing. The Legends finished on 161/8 with some cameos from Sachithra Senanayake and Farveez Maharoof towards the end.
The Australian team mostly had players who retired very recently and the run-chase was always going to be tricky. However, Chaminda Vaas started proceedings in his merry way with a wicket of Michael Klinger in the very first over. Skipper Dilshan bowled the second over and made things even worse for the Aussies claiming 2 wickets.
Photos: Sri Lanka Legends Team Practice session ahead of Road Safety World Series 2020
Rangana Herath, Maharoof, and Sachithra Senanayake dented the opposition with regular wickets during the middle overs, but 35-year old Nathan Reardon kept Aussie hopes high with a lone fight scoring 96 off 53. It finally came down to the last over with Australia needing 17 off it. Dilshan bowling the crucial final over picked up the last two wickets including that of Reardon’s after being hit for 2 consecutive boundaries off the 2nd and 3rd balls. Dilshan also was adjudged man of the match for his all-round effort.
Muttiah Muralitharan was the only bowler who ended wicket-less for Sri Lanka while Upul Chandana and Ajantha Mendis weren’t used. Sri Lanka will now play against the home team India on the 10th of this month.
Brief Scores
SL-L – 161/8 (20) Romesh Kaluwitharana 30, Chamara Kapugedera 28, Farveez Maharoof 20, TM Dilshan 18, Ajantha Mendis 17, Marvan Atapattu 14, Sachithra Senanayake 13, Brad Hodge 2/18, Xavier Doherty 2/28, Jason Krejza 2/37
AUS-L – 154 (19.5) Nathan Reardon 96, Xavier Doherty 15, Brad Haddin 10, TM Dilshan 3/35, Rangana Herath 2/5, Farveez Maharoof 2/28, Chaminda Vaas 1/20, Sachithra Senanayake 1/34
>>For more cricket news click here<<
