Chandimal assures victory for Ruhuna

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lanka’s new find Dinesh Chandimal hit a sparkling half century and accounted for two run outs as Ruhuna defeated Kandurata by 40 runs in their SLC inter provincial Twenty20 cricket tournament match worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Chandimal hit a top score of 63 from just 53 deliveries inclusive of one six and six boundaries as Ruhuna went on to amass a formidable 154 for 7 from their 20 overs after been put into bat.

Chandimal then put up a splendid performance behind the stumps while accounting for two crucial run outs including former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara as Kandurata managed to score only 114 for 7 from their 20 overs.

In fact Kandurata were virtually out of the contest from the moment they lost the first four wickets with just three runs on the board. They never recovered from this early set back despite a brave innings from Farveez Maharoof.

The former Sri Lanka all rounder figured in a vain effort as he plundered an unbeaten 55 from 34 deliveries with the help of three sixes and five boundaries. Together with Hasantha Fernando the pair put on exactly 50 runs for the seventh wickets.

Earlier Dinesh Chandimal played the sheet anchor role to help Ruhuna post a competitive 154 for 7 from their 20 overs.

Ruhuna: 154 for 7 in 20 overs (S. Jayasuriya 20, D. Chandimal 63, T. Sampath 20, M. Muralitharan 2 for 30, F. Maharoof 2 for 43)

Kandurata: 114 for 7 in 20 overs (H. Fernando 27, F. Maharoof 55 n.o, J. Gunaratne 2 for 1, S. Randiv 2 for 14)

Wayamba win

Wayamba defeated Basnahira in the bowl out after their SLC inter provincial Twenty20 cricket tournament opening match was washed out due to overnight rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.