Army knock defending champions Navy out

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Army A lead by a 4 wicket haul by Lakmali Meththananda, did the unexpected by defeating Navy SC by 79 runs in the 2nd semi-final of the Women’s Division I 50 over tournament earlier today. By doing so they broke the Air Force – Navy monopoly of the tournament final after many years.

Army won the toss and elected to bat first at the MCA Grounds. However, although many of their batters got starts, they were unable to convert those starts into big scores as they finished on 159/9 in their allotted overs.

Read More : Sanjeewani ton guides Air Force A to Final

Chandima Gunarathna and Maduri Samudrika picked up 3 wickets apiece while former Sri Lankan skipper Shashikala Siriwardene picked up 2 wickets for the Navy as they restricted the Soldiers to 159.

Chasing a below par 160 for victory, the Navy lasses fell into deep trouble early in their innings, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually folded for 81 in just 35 overs. Shashikala Siriwardene was the only batter to show some resistance, making a fighting 27 but he could not carry his team through to the final.

Lakmali Maththananda grabbed 4/12 to wrap up the Navy innings.

Army (A) 159/9 (50) Nipuni Hansika 36, Rebeca Vandort 34, Nilakshika Silva 22, Chandima Gunarathna 3/35, Madhuri Samudrika 3/35, Shashikala Siriwardena 2/21

Navy 81 (35) Shashikala Siriwardhane 27, Lakmali Meththananda 4/12, Nilakshika Silva 2/25