Maliyadeva Model School etched their name into the history books yesterday, securing a hat-trick of titles in the limited Over encounter of the 14th Battle of the Tuskers. Held at the Welagedara International Cricket Stadium, the Kurunegala side delivered a clinical performance to defeat their arch-rivals, Ibbagamuwa Central College, by a comprehensive 83 runs. The victory was engineered by a gritty half-century from Vihaga Kularathna under testing conditions and a destructive bowling display led by Yasiru Kavinda and skipper Sayuru Jayathilaka.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first on a surface that appeared to be a batting paradise, Maliyadeva Models openers Ranthul Dinantha and Dileg Oshan began cautiously. However, the innings failed to gain early momentum as the opening partnership ended via a fatal miscommunication while running between the wickets. Dileg Oshan then paired with Dimuthu Bandara to rebuild, slowly steering the score past the 50-run mark. Just as the pair looked to settle, another mix-up resulted in a run-out, leaving the Models at 52/2. Vihaga Kularathna joined Dileg at the crease, and the two added a valuable 30-run partnership before Dileg was dismissed, caught and bowled by Nethum Nilsara.
Facing a tight bowling attack and tough batting conditions, Kularathna held his ground. He forged crucial stands with Binuka Rathnayake and skipper Sayuru Jayathilaka to keep the scoreboard ticking. After a hard-fought inning, Kularathna reached his half-century with a push towards the off side. However, attempting to accelerate immediately after reaching his milestone, he perished trying an expensive slog sweep, caught at long on. Skipper Jayathilaka followed soon after in similar fashion, leaving Maliyadeva in a precarious position at 163/6.
The late order provided the necessary impetus, with Kanchana Rathnayake and Imesh Pathirana putting the pedal to the metal in the final overs. Their cameo, featuring a six and several boundaries, propelled the Models to a competitive total of 213 runs. For Ibbagamuwa, Akash Rodrigo was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Nethum Nilsara chipped in with one.
Chasing 214, the Pink Tuskers’ innings mirrored the struggle of their opponents. Openers Nethum Nilsara and Dithnal Wijethunga adopted a non-aggressive mindset, resulting in a slow start that allowed the Maliyadeva bowlers to settle into a rhythm. Skipper Sayuru Jayathilaka drew first blood by removing Nilsara, followed by the dismissals of Wijethunga and Sachin Ayodya, leaving Ibbagamuwa reeling at 31/3. Pasan Sandanayake and Sandaru Dissanayake attempted to stabilize the innings with a 30-run partnership, but the pressure of the required rate and tight bowling eventually told, with Sandaru falling to Yasiru Kavinda. At 83/4, a glimmer of hope remained for the Tuskers, but a serious misunderstanding between the runners resulted in another run-out, triggering a dramatic collapse.
The Pink Tuskers crumbled from 83/4 to 101/9, effectively handing the match to Maliyadeva. The final batting pair, skipper Yasiru Atigala and Kaveesha Madushan, showed the only real resistance of the chase. They put up a fighting 29-run partnership, with skipper scoring a well-made 38 runs inclusive of three fours and a couple of boundaries.
However, the task proved too steep. Yasiru Kavinda and skipper Sayuru Jayathilaka were the architects of the destruction, sharing three wickets apiece to dismantle the Ibbagamuwa batting unit. With this dominant 83-run victory, Maliyadeva Model School has made a strong statement, completing a hat-trick of titles in the Battle of the Tuskers and retaining their supremacy over their arch-rivals.
Brief Scorecard
Maliyadeva Model School, Kurunegala – 213/6 (50 Overs)
Vihaga Kularathna 50, Imeth Pathirana 26*, Dileg Oshan 25, Kanchana Rathnayaka 23*, Dimuthu Bandara 22, Sayuru Jayathilaka 21, Binuka Rathnayaka 19, Ranthul Dinantha 10 Akash Rodrigo 38/3, Nethum Nilasara 19/1
Ibbagamuwa Central College (1st Innings) – 107 all out (42.2 Overs)
Yasiru Atigala 38, Sadaru Dissanayaka 20, Pasan Sandanayaka 18, Dithnal Wijethunga 17, Wenusha Abhiman 10 Yasiru Kavinda 23/3, Sayuru Jayathilaka 35/3, Thenuga Dias 25/1, Vihaga Kularathna 30/1
Special Awards
- Player of the match – Sayuru Jayathilake (Maliyadeva Model)
- Best Batsman – Vihanga Vimukthi Kularathne (Maliyadeva Model)
- Best Bowler – Yasiru Kavinda (Maliyadeva Model)
- Best Fielder – Binuka Rathnayake (Maliyadeva Model)
Maliyadeva Model School outclass Ibbagamuwa Central College to secure the limited over game of the 14th Battle of the Tuskers in style
