a direct hit from the Trinco-Batti team runs out a Seenigama batsman
to help seal victory at Kilinochchi
Trinco-Batti upset star-studded Seenigama on day two of the Murali Harmony Cup
A Trincomalee-Batticaloa Combined Schools team continued the theme of upsets on the second day of the Murali Harmony Cup with a 17-run win against a strong Seenigama FOG XI at Kilinochchi Central College grounds on Sunday. The Seenigama XI from the Foundation of Goodness near Galle, an academy team that includes three outstanding Sri Lanka U19 players, were outplayed by a talented and determined Trinco-Batti team that scored 149-8 in their 20 overs and then restricted Seenigama to 132 for 9. Seenigama struggled to keep up with the required run rate against some disciplined seam bowling and lively fielding in front of another large Kilinochchi crowd and a carnival-like atmosphere that included papare bands, pole-walkers, Jaffna dancers and a brass band. Medium pacer Asela Sampath sealed Seenigama’s fate with three wickets in an over and finished with 4 for 17 to earn the Man of the Match award, a special ball signed by Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralidaran who will be attending the tournament on Wednesday.
After a dramatic gymnastics display from the Sri Lanka Army to keep the 4000 spectators entertained during the luncheon interval, St Peter’s College proved too strong for a Kilinochchi Combined XI. Kilinochchi started promisingly with the bat, but lost momentum after a middle order collapse and thereafter could only post a modest 96 for 9 against their more experienced opponents. A confident St. Peter’s College, riding high after their one-wicket win against Trinco-Batti on day one, then raced to their target in just eight overs and won by seven wickets. Stylish left-hander Lahiru Milantha top-scored with an unbeaten 48 full of attractive and powerful strokes to pick-up the Man of the Match award.
In Jaffna, Trinity College recovered quickly from a shock defeat to Jaffna Combined Schools in their tournament opener, with a comfortable 79-run win against a Combined Mannar & Vavuniya team. Trinity posted 162 for 4 batting first with Ron Chandraguptha top-scoring with 42 and Dinuk Wickramanayake chipping in with 36. In reply Mannar-Vavuniya were unable to get close as Man of the Match Charith Sudaraka claimed 3 for 17.
Jaffna’s promising start continued with a comfortable 52-run win against Debarawewa MV to leave them well on-course for a semi-final berth.
Batsman Edward Edin, the Man of the Match against Trinity, impressed once again with a top-score of 41 as Jaffna Combined piled-up a challenging 155 for 9. Debarawewa MV College struggled in reply limping to 103 for 9. They cannot now qualify for the knock-out stages but their game against Trinity on Monday afternoon could be crucial for Trinity. The fourth place in the semi-finals is set to be decided by Net Run Rate and a convincing win for Trinity may keep alive their tournament hopes.
At the IODR Oval in Oddusuddan, a new venue in Mullaitivu built in just 33 days thanks to financial support from Grange Hotels, a powerful Dharmasoka College team confirmed themselves as one of the favourites to qualify for Tuesday’s semi-finals in Kilinochchi.Dharmasoka College won their first game convincingly on Saturday and then held their nerve in a cliffhanger against Maliyadeva College from Kurunegala winning by just six runs. Dharmasoka College posted 154 for 9 with Mohan de Silva blasting 83, the highest score of the tournament thus far. Maliyadeva fought hard in reply with Sarinda Dassanayake scoring an unbeaten 63, but Man of the Match Yohan de Silva clinched the game taking 4 for 14.
During the morning in Oddusuddan an inexperienced Mullaitivu Combined XI produced a spirited display against Anuradhapura Central but still lost by 112 runs.
The Murali Harmony Cup is a 20-team reconciliation tournament staged to promote community-building and friendship in post-war Sri Lanka. The five-day tournament has been jointly organised by Muttiah Muralidaran’s charity the Foundation of Goodness, travel company Red Dot Tours, the International Cricket Council and the Sri Lanka Army.
Summary Scores
Kilinochchi Central College (Mens)
Trinco – Batti Combined v Seenigama FOG: Trinco – Batti Combined 149 for 8 in 20 overs (AJM Riyaz 23, S Sanjeewa 33, Tharindu Namal 2 for 14, Kasun Tharaka 2 for 20) v Seenigama FOG 132 for 9 in 20 overs (Udesh Priyanga 33, Pabasara Waduge 20, Asela Sampath 4 for 17). Trinco – Batti Combined won by 17 runs
MOM: Asela Sampath
Kilinochchi Combined v St Peter’s College: Kilinochchi Combined 96 for 9 in 20 overs (S Kabilan 21, J Nilakshan 17, Chamila Obesekara 3 for 9, Dushan Hemantha 3 for 20) v St Peter’s College 99 for 3 in 8 overs (Lahiru Milantha 48*, Ranitha Liyanaarchchi 20, R Rajeewan 1 for 14). St Peter’s won by 7 wickets
MOM: Lahiru Milantha
IODR Oval, Oddusuddan (Mens)
Mullaitivu Combined v Anuradhapura Central: Anuradhapura Central 180 for 7 in 20 overs (Chathushka Senanayake 43, Agith Sandaruwan 36, J Prashant 2 for 19, K Nihanthan 2 for 42) v Mullaitivu Combined 68 all out in 16 overs (A Anchayan 20, Jagath Sandaruwan 3 for 5, Jagath Chamika 3 for 13). Anuradhapura Central won by 112 runs.
MOM: Jagath Sandaruwan
Dharmasoka College v Maliyadeva College: Dharmasoka College 154 for 9 in 20 overs (Mohan de Silva 83, Isuru Chaturanga 24, Rasanjana Jayaratne 3 for 29, Kushal de Silva 2 for 29) v Maliyadeva College 148 for 9 in 20 overs (Sarinda Dassanayake 63*, Tharindu Manishka 25, Yohan de Silva 4 for 14). Dharmasoka College won by 6 runs
MOM: Yohan de Silva
St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna (Mens)
Trinity College v Mannar-Vavuniya Combined: Trinity College 162 for 4 in 20 overs (Ron Chandraguptha 42, Dinuk Wickramanayake 36, Dinesh Thamitha 2 for 27) v Mannar/Vavuniya 83 for 9 in 20 overs, (K Haripanavan 20, V Vithushan 16, Charith Sudarka 3 for 17). Trinity College won by 79 runs
MOM: Charith Sudaraka
Jaffna Combined v Debarawewa MV College: Jaffna Combined 155 for 9 in 20 overs (Edward Edin 41, J Clington 27, WGN Laksiri 2 for 24) v Debarawewa MV College 103 for 9 in 20 overs (SADU Mihiran 40, WGT Indushan 24, AM Norbet 3 for 23, JT Erick 2 for 13). Jaffna Combined won by 52 runs.
MOM: Edward Edin
About the Murali Harmony Cup: The 2012 Murali Harmony Cup is being played at five grounds across Northern Sri Lanka in the towns of Jaffna, Oddusuddan, Mankulam, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya from 8-12 September. It is a T20 tournament featuring Under 19 schoolboys and U23 women cricketers. Twelve boys’ teams and eight ladies’ teams from across Sri Lanka are playing two matches every day at each ground, with the finals on 12th September at the IODR Oval in Oddusudan.
Media Notes: For all the latest news and information on the Murali Cup 2011, please visit – www.themuralicup.com.
For further information please contact: Media Liaison Officer Niresh Eliatamby on (+94) 77 3022123
ALSO SEE http://thuppahi.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/6956/#more-6956
The North boys should quickly get a turf wicket. Playing on turf is a different kettle of fish altogether; you will find it bit hard playing on turf than on matins. If they are to play for Sri Lanka the sponsors should help them with a turf wicket and practice/play else they’ll never be able to play at international level.