Ananda College beat Richmond College in the boys final while Badulla Ladies was beaten by FOG-Seenigama Ladies in the women’s segment of the Murali Harmony cup 2014.
Winning the toss and batting first Richmond College got off to a torrid start as opening batsman Sithara Gimhan was dismissed early in the piece.
Richmond batting was given a torrid time by the Ananda College bowling and it displayed on the score board as Richmond College were reduced to 5/26 in 6 overs.
Pasindu Bimsara made the only telling contribution as he managed a hard fought 19 off 24 balls while all the other batsmen were dismissed for single figure scores. And when Pasindu Bimsara was dismissed Richmond College slumped to 8/53 in 11 overs.
The tail-enders managed only 15 more runs as Richmond College were all out for just 68 in 18.5 overs. Sahan Arachchige and Kaveeshka Anjula were the pick of the bowlers as they collected 7 wickets between them.
Richmond College 68 all out in 18.5 overs. (Pasindu Bimsara 19, Sahan Arachchige 4-15, Kaveeshka Anjula 3-13)
Beginning the chase of 69 Ananda College got off to the worst possible start as well going down 0/1, 0/2 and 4/3 in 2.3 overs.
Nipun Haggalla together with Asel Sigera built a valuable 32- run partnership for the 4th wicket to rebuild and resurrect the Ananda College innings and help it from falling apart.
Nipun Haggalla was run out for 17 runs off 25 balls and Sahan Arachchige soon followed but that did not halt Ananda College as they were steered home by Asel Sigera.
Ananda College 73/5 in 16.3 overs. (Asel Sigera 39*, Wanidu Hasaranga 3-6)
Ananda College won by 5 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)
Player of the match – SSD Arachchige (Ananda College)
Player of the series – S Ashan (Ananda College)
Batsman of the series – KIC Asalanka (Richmond College)
Bowler of the series – A Sigera (Ananda College)
