Angelo Perera stars in Kandurata win

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Former Sri Lanka youth cap Angelo Perera hit an unbeaten half century to help Kandurata beat Ruhuna by 96 runs on the Duckworth and Lewis scoring method in their rain hit SLC Inter Provincial 50 over cricket tournament second match worked off at the SSC ground in Maitland Place yesterday.

The 20 year old right hand middle order batsman rose to the occasion while stroking an unbeaten 62 as Kandurata went on to amass a formidable 268 for 7 from their 50 overs after been put into bat.

The victory target for Ruhuna was reduced to 212 from 24.1 overs due to bad weather but they managed to score only 115 for 7 at the end.

In fact Ruhuna were always up against it from the moment Kandurata put up a good batting performance with skipper Kumar Sangakkara leading the way.

The left hander hit and elegant 68 from 109 deliveries inclusive of seven boundaries and put on 96 for the second wicket along with Chamara Kapugedera.

But it was young Angelo Perera who really turned the game in Kandurata’s favour by smashing a run a ball unbeaten 61 with the help of three sixes and four boundaries.

Together with Jehan Mubarak they took their team total pass the 250 run mark while adding 77 runs for the fifth wicket.

Ruhuna in reply were well behind the required run rate despite a determined effort from veteran Sanath Jayasuriya who smashed five boundaries during his knock of 29.

Chamara Silva also made a vain effort while hoisting two sixes and stroking one boundary as Ruhuna lost wickets at regular intervals against the pace of Chatura Peiris and Chaminda Vidanapathirana.

Kandurata: 268 for 7 in 50 overs (S. Jayantha 31, K. Sangakkara 68, C. Kapugedera 25, J. Mubarak 42, A. Perera 62 n.o, S. Lakmal 3 for 48, S. Jayasuriya 2 for 31).

Ruhuna: 115 for 7 in 24.1 overs (S. Jayasuriya 29, C. Silva 34 n.o, C. Peiris 2 for 32, C. Vidanapathirana 2 for 13).

Uva Province in action

Uva Province led by Thilina Kandamby will come out for the first time when they take on the reigning champions Wayamba Province in their SLC Inter Provincial 50 over cricket tournament third match at the SSC ground in Maitland Place today.

Wayamba captained by Mahela Jayawardena have already got off to a winning start having defeated Basnahira in their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday.

Opening bowler Dilhara Fernando will be the solitary World Cup player in the Uva side but they will have the services of some outstanding players in the caliber of Tharanga Paranavithana, Lahiru Thirimanna, Mahela Udawatte and Dinuk Hettiarachchi.

In contrast the Wayamba team is packed with a number of national players in the form of Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath as they look to register their second successive victory.

The teams:

Wayamba (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Thilan Samaraweera, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welagedara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sachithra Senanayake, Madura Lakmal, Dhanushka Gunathilake, Shalika Karunanayake, Dhammika Prasad, Charith Jayampathy, Romesh Buddika, Dilshan Munaweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Arosha Janoda, Gayan Wijekoon, Sahan Wijerathne.

Uva (from): Tilina Kandamby (captain), Tharanga Paranavithana, Gihan de Silva, Dilhara Fernando, Dinesh Darshanapriya, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Lahiru Thirimanna, Malinga Bandara, Indika de Seram, Ian Daniel, Janaka Gunaratne, Shaminda Eranga, Milinda Siriwardene, Mahela Udawatta, Chinthaka Perera, Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Udara Jayasundara. CD