Ruwan first Kandyan to reach 1,000

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN, Kandy Sports Correspondent

Ruwan Bandara of Vidyartha College, became the first school cricketer from Kandy to score 1,000 runs this season, 64 on the opening against Carey College, Colombo which began at the Open Prison Grounds, Pallekele yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 am.

Ruwan Bandara had a total of 970 runs before the commencement of this match. He had the difficulty in scoring the 30 runs required to reach the four figure and he is the first Vidyarthian to do so in their 66-year-old cricket history. He has scored three centuries this season. Ruwan Bandara hit eight fours and faced 72 balls in his knock.

Nipuna Ranaweera too batted well to score 52 with the aid of nine fours.

But Carey College appear to have the chance of overhauling their opponents total and have 165 for 4 and only 36 runs away with six wickets in hand. Sujeewa Asela has batted exceedingly well to remain unbeaten on 83 with nine fours and has faced 86 balls and appears to be on course to his century.

Vidyartha College: 201 (Ruwan Bandara 64, Keshan Gamage 40, Nipuna Ranaweera 52, C Rajapaksa 2 for 84, S Nanayakkara 3 for 48, C Mapatuna 2 for 32, T Silva 2 for 22).

Carey College: 165 for 4 (Thanuka Silva 47, Sujeewa Asela 83 n.o, Isuru Weerasinghe 2 for 20, Tilina Rupasena 2 for 77).