Royal win 1st Innings, Sajeewa Salgado saves the match for Thurstan

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Published on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 22:11

Written by Ameen Mohomed

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The 2nd day of this tournament fixture began as scheduled. Royal did not wish to add anymore runs to the overnight total, and thus declared in the morning itself.

It is an interesting decision to declare with Devind Pathmanathan on 49 not out, but Royal had to look at the bigger picture of getting 20 Thurstan wickets during the day to win this match.

Thurstan started well with the scoring rate quite high and the score reading 70 for no loss. Opener Minhaj Jaleel played really well in the 1st Innings to make sure that no early wickets fell by taking most of the strike. However, once the wickets started to fall, the scoring rate decreased dramatically. Minhaj went on to score 76 before he too slipped in his concentration. Ramidu Kumarasinghe was the only other batsman who managed to cope with the Royal bowling and to take Thurstan to a respectable 1st Innings total of 169.

Devind Pathmanathan and Harith Samarasinghe the two left arm spinners took 4 wickets a piece to help Royal to the 1st Innings win with some disciplined spin bowling.

Due to the mammoth 1st Innings score of 456 made by Royal, which is also considered to be the 2nd highest score at Reid Avenue after a record kept in 1930, Thurstan were made to follow on, with Royal having a 1st Innings lead of 287 runs.

Thurstan College began their 2nd Innings quite nervously with 2 quick wickets to Anupa Thilakarathne, but the captain Sajeewa Salgado fought valiantly, inspiring his team to play safe and dominate the Royal bowlers whenever possible. He went on to score a knock of 80 runs which included 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. As batting became easier towards the session after tea, Thurstan managed to score at a good pace as well, tiring the Royal fielders who have been on the field since the start of days play.

The plan did not work for Royal on how to take the 10 Thurstan wickets within the 45 overs which were left for the day. Both teams however, must be satisfied with their performance. Royal especially with their batting and Thurstan with their will to survive.

Scores in brief

Royal College 1st Innings 456 for 7 wickets declared in 95 overs (Roanaka Ahangama 131, Imal Liyanage 92, Milan Abeysekara 112, Devind Pathmanathan 49*, K.Silva 2 for 81.)

Thurstan College College 1st Innings 169 all out in 53 overs (Minhaj Jaleel 76, Ramidu Kumarasinghe 32, Devind Pathmanathan 4 for 40, Harith Samarasinghe 4 for 36.)

Thurstan College 2nd Innings 169 for 4 wickets in 44 overs (Kavindu Kulasekara 36, Sajeewa Salgado 80, Anupa Thilakarathne 2 for 18)

 

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