The 2nd edition of the Battle of Dreams came to a close after Rusith Jayawardene saw Holy Cross home to a famous draw with both the ball and the bat.
Hosts St. Aloysius’ College were in a commanding position at the close of play on day one. St. Aloysius’ resumed their innings with the overnight score on 102 for the loss of four wickets. Dulsath Nimviru got the day off to a flying start before being trapped in front LBW for a well-made 36. His partner in crime, Oshda Devinda, also contributed with a valuable 35 runs, helping the hosts take an 83-run lead over the visitors’ first innings total of 125.
>>Chanuka Sadew spins a web in Galle, putting the Aloysians a foot forward at the close of day one<<
Rusith Jayawardene shone for the visitors with the ball, grabbing six wickets for 53 runs. His brilliant spell controlled what could have been significant damage for Holy Cross.
Holy Cross, trailing by 83 runs, walked into their second innings with plenty of nerves after how their first innings unfolded. As many might have predicted, the visitors got off to the worst possible start, losing their first three wickets for just 31 runs. The fourth wicket then fell at 48, putting them in deep trouble.
Experienced campaigner Rusith Jayawardene then joined first-innings half-centurion Vihanga Oshadha at the crease. The pair put on a 49-run partnership while occupying the crease for over twenty overs. With the dismissal of Vihanga Oshadha, Jayawardene was left with a tough task ahead.
Sachith Sanjula, who joined Jayawardene in the middle, showed there was light at the end of the tunnel for Holy Cross. The pair batted for 25 overs until stumps, securing a joyous draw for Holy Cross while leaving St. Aloysius’ disappointed.
Rusith Jayawardene ended unbeaten on 66 off 164 deliveries — a mammoth innings to ensure his alma mater would not taste defeat.
With that, the Battle of Dreams is yet to be crowned with a champion.
Player of the match – Rusith Jayawardene (Holy Cross College)
Best Batsman – Vihanga Osinda (Holy Cross College)
Best Bowler – Chanuka Sadew (St. Aloysius’ College)
Best Fielder – Sasindu Madusara (St. Aloysius’ College)
Brief Scores:
Holy Cross College 125 (63.5) Vihanga Oshada 50, Rusith Jayawardene 23, Chanuka Sadew 5/35, Hiviru Nimtharana 4/30 & 125/5 (64) Rusith Jayawardene 66*, Vihanga Oshada 28
St. Aloysius’ 208 (56.1) Dulsath Nimviru 36, Oshadha Devinda 35, Sasindu Randeepa 34, Vinod Danushka 32, Rusith Jayawardene 6/53, Mevindu Perea 2/36
Result – Match Drawn
With plenty of action to unfold this Big Match season, stay tuned to Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Sports channel ThePapare. And catch all the live action via ThePapare.com, the Dialog Play app and Dialog Television channel numbers 62,63, 126 and 127.
