A fighting 83 from veteran batsmen Indika de Saram helped Ruhuna to a close 8 run win over Basnahira in their inter-provincial cricket match played at SSC grounds yesterday.
Chasing a modest 242 to win, Basnahira were bowled out for 234 runs in the 41st over when all rounder Shehan Jayasuriya had Ishan Jayaratne caught by Maneshan to set a thrilling win.
Ruhuna, put into bat first had a worse possible start to their last group match when Shehan Jayasuriya was beaten by a Ishan Jayasuriya delivery in the second over for a duck but a good batting performance by the rest of the top order saw them amassing a fighting total with Saram making a 87 ball 83 with nine boundaries and a six. Ashan Priyanjana (35), Dilruwan Perera (33) and Gayan Maneshan (34) all contributed with the bat. Thilan Thushara (2 for 44), S Prasanna (2 for 52) and S Serasinghe (2 for 45) excelled with the ball.
Basnahira, though had a decent opening stand between Mahela Udawatte and TN Sampath (39 for the first wicket in 6.3 overs) lost wickets at regular intervals as the missed the target by a whisker. Sachithra Serasinghe (48) and Roshen Silva (44) did well with bat in the middle order but could not take the side home. Muthumudalige Pushpakumara was the pick of the bowler claiming three for 46 runs while Dilruwan Perera ( 2 for 53) and Shehan Jayasuriya (2 for 9) shared two wickets each.
Scores
Ruhuna – 242 in 49.5 overs (I de Saram 83, A Priyanjana, 35, D Perera 33, G Maneshan 34, Thilan Thushara 2 for 44, S Prasanna 2 for 52, S Serasinghe 2 for 45)
Basnahira – 234 in 40.2 overs(S Serasinghe 48, R Silva 44, T Thushara 30, PM Pushpakumara 3 for46 D Perera 2 for 53 S Jayasuriya 2 for 9)
