Army overcome Galle’s spirited batting to claim Tier B one-day crown
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club won the inter-club Tier B Limited Overs Cricket Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Cricket this afternoon (11th). Army secured the title with a 23-run victory over Galle Cricket Club in the final at the Bloomfield grounds in Colombo. Along with the championship trophy, Army received a cash prize of 1,000,000, while runners-up Galle received 750,000.
Galle Cricket Club won the toss and invited Army to bat. Army posted 284 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs, setting Galle a target of 285.
Asela Gunaratne starred for Army with an unbeaten 99 off 84 balls, hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes to finish just short of a century. Batting through to the final delivery, Asela needed 3 runs to reach his hundred but could manage only 02. His aggressive innings nevertheless played a decisive role in lifting Army’s total.
Army were on 156 in the 32nd over when captain Shehada Zoysa became the seventh batter to fall. Working with the lower order, Asela then added 18 off 22 balls for the 089th wicket, 88 off 76 balls with Janaka Sampath for the 09th wicket, and 22 off 11 balls for the 10th wicket.
Manushka Samith, with 39 off 39 balls, and Janaka Sampath, with 38 off 39, provided valuable support to Asela Gunaratne. Opener Ashan Sudarshana scored 25, while Sukith Devthilina made 23.
Kevin Koththigoda took 2 wickets for Galle, while Chanaka Devinda, Rajeeva Weerasinghe, Subhanu Kaveesha Rajapaksha and Asela Sampath claimed one each.
Galle Cricket Club lost several early wickets in pursuit of 285, but a partnership between Thejan Shakya Prasanjana and Chanaka Devinda brought them back into the contest.
Galle lost their first four wickets for 65 before Kevin Koththigoda and Chanaka Devinda added 46. It was Thejan Shakya Prasanjana’s aggressive batting, however, that truly revived their innings.
Thejan Shakya Prasanjana struck 85 off 65 balls, including 6 fours and 5 towering sixes. His sixth-wicket stand of 79 off 61 balls with Chanaka Devinda took Galle within reach of victory.
However, Galle’s hopes faded when Thejan Shakya Prasanjana fell with the score on 253. They were eventually bowled out for 261 in 48 overs and 4 balls.
Basith Lakshan and Lilan Rangana bowled superbly for Army, taking 3 wickets apiece, while Janaka Sampath and Asela Gunaratne claimed 2 each.
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club thus claimed the Tier B 50-over title after a hard-fought 23-run win over Galle Cricket Club.
At the presentation ceremony, presided over by National Super League cricket selection committee member Nalliah Devaraj, Asela Gunaratne was named Player of the Final and received a trophy and Rs. 200,000.
Navy’s Dilanka Auward was named the tournament’s best bowler after taking 15 wickets in 5 matches, while Galle Sports Club’s Yuthika de Silva won the best batter award for his 334 runs in 6 matches. Each received a trophy and 300,000 in prize money. Meanwhile, the tournament’s most coveted award, Most Valuable Player, went to Kurunegala Sports Club’s Ruchira Silva, who took 18 wickets in 6 matches. He received a trophy and 500,000.
Scores in brief
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club – 284/9 (50 overs) – Asela Gunaratne 99 not out, Manushka Samith 39, Janaka Sampath 38, Ashan Sudarshana 25, Sukith Devthilina 23, Kevin Koththigoda 51/2, Chanaka Devinda 29/2, Asela Sampath 76/1, Rajeeva Weerasinghe 25/1, Subhanu Kaveesha Rajapaksha 35/1.
Galle Cricket Club – 261 (48.4 overs) – Thejan Shakya Prasanjana 85, Chanaka Devinda 43, Kevin Koththigoda 30, Yuthika de Silva 26, Kavindu Nirmana 19, Basith Lakshan 56/3, Lilan Rangana 54/3, Janaka Sampath 53/2, Asela Gunaratne 42/2.
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting