The hot favourites to the league title, Isipathana College recorded their first outright victory for the season beating newly promoted, Anuradhapura Central College by an innings and 25 runs at BRC grounds on Tuesday.
The home team had to go into the match without their star players, Salinda Ushan and Vishad Randika who are currently on national duty. The visitors were asked to take the first lease of the wicket but they were restricted to 160 in their first innings.
Shanuka Kalum played a gutsy innings of 61 while Shavindu Chandrasekara made 28 for the lads from Anuradhapura. Lahiru Dilshan was the pick of the bowlers taking 5 scalps while off-spinner Pramod Maduwantha grabbed 3 wickets.
The Isipathanians in their reply amassed 264 for 9 declared after being 183 for 4 overnight. Right-handed Pethum Nissanka stroked a brilliant innings of 113 runs in 126 balls with 6 boundaries and 5 sixes.
Sanjula Abeywickrama played a good hand scoring 65 for the hosts. Vishmitha Jananga and Buddhika Senarathne picked up 2 wickets each.
The boys from North Central Province had a daunting task as they were 104 runs behind when they started their 2nd innings. They could not counter the pressure and faltered against disciplined bowling by the home team.
Within 36 overs, Anuradhapura Central lost all their 10 wickets for just 79 runs. Lahiru Dilshan was once again in the thick of things taking 3 scalps but Iwanka Sanjula was the most impressive bowler taking 5 wickets with his right-arm fast-medium.
Anuradhapura Central – 160 all out in 51.5 overs: Shanuka Kelum 61, Shavindu Chandrasekara 28, Sachith Randima 25, Lahiru Dilshan 5/56, Pramod Madhuwantha 3/19, Heshan Fernando 2/18.
Isipathana – 264/9 declared in 60.4 overs: Pethum Nisshanka 113, Sanjula Abewickrame 65, Pramod Madhuwantha 22, Heshan Fernando 22, Harsha Rathnayake 21, Vishmitha Jananga 2/24, Buddhika Senarathne 2/36, Ravitha Prabaswara 2/66.
Anuradhapura Central (2nd inn) – 79 all out in 36 overs: Dilshan Dissanayake 19, Iwanka Sanjula 5/28, Lahiru Dilshan 3/39.
