Charana Nanayakkara and Naveen Gunawardena almost brought the Blackham Wijewardene Memorial Trophy back to Thurstan College as Isipathana College escaped from an outright win in the 54th Battle of the Brothers which ended in a draw today (Saturday) at SSC grounds.
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Chasing 219 runs in 55 overs for victory, Isipathana College were tottering at 68 for 6 in 26 overs in the fourth innings of the match. Earlier in the first session on day one, Isipathana resuming their first innings on 78 for 3 were bowled out for 141.
Thurstan-Isipathana heading for a tame draw
The 2017 ‘Big Match’ season started today at SSC grounds with the 54th edition of the Thurstan-Isipathana cricket encounter..
Skipper Sanjula Abeywickrama made a fighting 27 off 50 balls to top score for the lads from Havelock Town while left-arm spinner Naveen Gunawardena and fast-bowler Charana Nanayakkara shared 9 wickets for the Thurstanites. Gunawardena picked up 5 for 33 bowling 16.1 overs while Nanayakkara took 4 for 71 in 19 overs.
The Isipathana procession started when overnight batsman Pathum Nissanka fell in the very first over on day two as Nanayakkara struck gold early and a couple of overs later, Nanayakkara struck again when Ayana Siriwardena was caught plumb in front for 13.
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Gunawardena was too tough to handle for the tail as the Isipathana first innings was wrapped up inside 45 overs.
With a 87-run first innings lead, Thurstan managed to post 131 for 7 in 34 overs in their second innings. Nanayakkara who made a vital half-century in the first innings once again starred with the bat scoring 55 off 67 deliveries with 8 fours to his name. For Isipathana, Neranjan Wanniarachchi and Ayana Siriwardena picked up 3 scalps each.
>> Photo Album: 54th Battle of the Brothers – Day 2
Gunawardena and off-spinner Thushal Madushanka made life difficult for Isipathana batsmen sharing five wickets as Isipathana held onto a draw in an exciting game of cricket which grew to be a crowd-pleaser at the end.
Thurstan – 228 all out in 56.1 overs: Kasun Abeyrathne 43, Imesh Viranga 19, Charana Nanayakkara 58, Navod Samarakoon 34, Nipun Lakshan 26, Nimesh Lakshan 34, Neranjan Wanniarachchi 3/66, Lahiru Dilshan 3/47, Heshan Fernando 2/19.
Isipathana – 141 all out in 44.1 overs: Kalana Perera 20, Harsha Rathnayake 16, Pathum Nissanka 17, Sanjula Abeywickrama 27, Charana Nanayakkara 4/71, Naveen Gunawardena 5/33.
Thurstan (2nd Inn) – 131/7 Dec in 34 overs: Charana Nanayakkara 55, Ayana Siriwardena 3/29, Neranjan Wanniarachchi 3/59.
Isipathana (2nd Inn) – 68/6 in 26 overs: Sanjula Abeywickrama 13, Naveen Gunawardena 3/31, Thushal Madushanka 2/22.
Individual Awards
Best Batsman – Charana Nanayakkara
Best Bowler – Naveen Gunawardena
Best Fielder – Pathum Nissanka
Best All Rounder – Charana Nanayakkara
Man of the Match – Charana Nanayakkara
 at SSC grounds.){kind=link}