MAS active led by Sachithra Senanayake emerged victorious in the Mercantile Cricket Association division A limited over cricket tournament beating John Keells Holdings by 5 wickets at MCA cricket grounds, Maitland Place.
John Keels captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat on batting friendly MCA track. JKH got off to a decent start as skipper Karunaratne and wicket keeper bat Lahiru Milantha negotiated the early phase of play and added 67 runs for the first wicket.
The introduction of off spinner Dananjaya De Silva paid off as he broke the opening stand and sent both openers back to the pavilion. Danajaya continued his good all round performances and bagged the wicket of Roshen Silva to finish with a total of 3 wickets for 27 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Akshu Fernando and Banuka Rajapaksa then got together to add a vital partnership before Left arm pace bowler Binura Fernando struck. Binura was lethal in his 2 spell and ran through the JKH tail and he ended the innings bagging 5 for 37. JKH ended their innings with a moderate score of 227 for 10 in 49 overs.
Chasing 228 for victory MAS Active openers showed positive intent from the word go and attacked the JKH bowling striking to all parts of the ground to reach 76 runs at the end of the first 10 overs.
As runs leaked, JKH skipper introduced veteran left arm spinner Upul Indrasiri who managed to break the partnership taking the scalp of T.N.Samapth. Meanwhile Udara Jayasundara had different ideas as he was in full flow, striking the ball from the middle of the bat. Udara Jayasundara reached a well compiled half century setting a perfect platform for MAS active.
Angelo Perera and Jehan Mubarak got together after the 3 wicket fell at 108 and added a vital 88 run partnership which took the game away from JKH. Angelo Perera however was dropped twice which affected JKH chance of victory.
Jehan Mubarak fell just short of a half century when he was caught behind for 49 off Liyanapathiranage. Kithruwan Vithanage wasted no time after he arrived at the crease and he hit 16 runs off a Janaka Gunaratne over helping MAS active cruise to victory and clinch the MCA division A title.
Man of the Match: Dananjaya de Silva
Brief Scores:
MAS 228 for 5 (Udara Jayasundara 53, Jehan Mubarak 49, Upul Indrasiri 2-41) beat JKH 227 for 10 (Banuka Rajapaksa 59, Binura Fernando 5-37, Dananjaya de Silva 3-27) by 5 wickets.
