A masterful half century from opener Ian Daniel saw North –East Combined team outsmarting Wayamba comfortably in their Inter-Provincial cricket fixture played at the SSC grounds today.
The unbeaten Wayamba lost its grip after its famed batting unit failed to fire. With wickets falling at regular intervals, all rounder Kosala Kulasekara took the bowlers to the sword as he made a career best 104 of 78 deliveries without which the score would have been meager. His innings of brilliant power-hitting had nine massive hits over the ropes and six boundaries but it was on a losing course as North-East had no trouble in reaching the target.
Daniel who was drafted into the side after Minister ordered to revise the controversial selections hit a swashbuckling match winning knock of 92 as they chased down the target with 94 balls to spare. His innings had two sixes and 14 boundaries.
Daniel shared 61 for the first wicket with Pabasara Waduge in just 7.5 overs and then 66 for the second wicket with wicket-keeper bat to seal a comfortable win, their second win in four matches.
Earlier Kaushal Weeraratne picked up three for 30 while Madura Lakmal and Malinga Bandara shared two wickets each to restrict Wayamba for 188 runs.
Score in Brief
Wayamba: 188 in 41 overs (K Kulasekara 104, A Perera 27, N Dickwella 18, K Weeraratne 3 for 30, M Lakmal 2 for 41, M Bandara 2 for 21)
North- East Combined- 190/3 (I Daniel 92, P Waduge 25, A Solomons 26, Sahan Wijeratne 31 n.o.)
