Rajans in commanding position

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Dharmaraja College were on top at the end of first day’s play in their 101st ‘Battle the Maroons’ against Kingswood College which began at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.

Dharmaraja College’s captain Rukshan Sooriyarachchi won the toss and sent their opponents to bat - a decision which paid rich dividends.

Kingswoodians were off to a reasonably good start with the openers Prasad Senaratne (21) and Ashan Senaviratne (18) putting on 49 before being separated. But the batsmen who followed failed to capitalise except for Skipper Asiri Amerasinghe who made 36 off 60 balls with 7 fours.

The bowler who did most of the damage was left arm spinner, Tharindu Perera who took 5 for 23 in a tantalising spell. He took his last four wickets in just 4.4 overs conceding five runs.

He was supported by the off spin of skipper Rukshan Sooriyarachchi who took 2 for 13 capturing the important wickets of prolific run getter Prasad Senaratne and Kingswood Skipper Asiri Amerasinghe when the latter was shaping well.

When the Rajans batted they found no terrors in the wicket though losing two wickets at 42 and 43, they consolidated their position at close scoring 130 for 3 wickets.

Opener Bhuwaneka Ekanayake was in topping form scoring 61 not out with 7 fours facing 100 balls with him at the other end is Sameera Ranatunga 30 not out with 5 fours and 1 five facing 79 balls.

This pair has so far put on 57 for the fourth wicket. An early declaration today will put the pressure on Kingswood to save the match.

Kingswood College - 1st Innings

Prasad Senaratne ct. Sooriyarachchi b Amarakoon 21, Ashan Seneviratne lbw b Balasuriya 18, Krishan Silva ct. Ekanayake b Wijesiri 10, Asiri Amerasinghe lbw b Sooriyarachchi 36, Nirmal Jayasuriya ct. Wijesiri b Perera 9, Migara Bandaranayake ct. Wijesiri b Perera 12, Chandima Abeykoon lbw b Sooriyarachchi 6, Sajith Atulugama ct. Ekanayake b Perera 6, Sameera Wijesinghe ct. and b Perera 0, Anuradha Hettige b Tharindu Perera 4, Chalitha Dharmaprema not out 5, Extras: 18, Total: (all out) 145 off 54.4 overs.

FALL: 49, 49, 68, 78, 116, 124, 130, 131, 136.

BOWLING: Chandimal Ratnayake 6-0-28-0, Tharindu Balasuriya 9-2-31-1, Upesh Wijesiri 2-0-10-1, Prasad Amarakoon 8-3-8-1, Tharindu Perera 14.4-7-23-5, Samitha Rajapakse 5-1-19-0, Rukshan Sooriyarachchi 10-4-13-2.

Dharmaraja College - 1st Innings

Kumara Ambagespiya ct. Silva b Senaratne 19, Bhuwaneka Ekanayake not out 61, Upesh Wijesiri b Dharmaprema 0, Rukshan Sooriyarachchi ct. Bandaranayake b Hettige 18, Sameera Ranatunga not out 30, ExtraS: 2, Total: (for 3 wkts) 30 off 41 overs.

FALL: 42, 43, 73.

BOWLING: Sajith Atulugama 2-0-9-0, Prasad Senaratne 16-3-37-1, Anuradha Hettige 6-1-25-1, Krishan Silva 5-2-10-0, Chalitha Dharmaprema 12-2-48-1.