Gurukula in historic win

Dilwin Mendis, Moratuwa Sports Correspondent

Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya beat Dharmaloka Vidyalaya by 10 wickets in their 24th annual Big Match worked off at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

This is the first instance that a decision was recorded in their Big Match series and Roshan Anuruddha's name will go to the history books of the series for being the first captain from either sides to achieve a victory. Also Gurukula coach Lal Senaratne who is an Old Boy of Gurukula played in their inaugural Big Match in 1987.

With this victory, Gurukula has recorded nine outright victories for the season and this is the first time they came out with flying colours. Also their star batsman Hashan Dumindu made 967 runs for the season and this is the highest ever aggregate recorded by a Gurukula cricketer.

Dharmaloka skipper called the coin correctly and elected to take the first lease and were skittled out for a paltry 115 runs with Tarindu Madushanka and Malka Madushanka scoring 29 and 20 runs respectively. Roshan Anuruddha claimed 3 for 29. In reply Gurukula were all out for 200 runs with Lisula Lakshan making the top score of 84 runs. Ravindu Thivanka was the most successful bowler for Dharmaloka with 4 for 31. In their second essay, Dharmaloka were all out for 113 runs. Set to make 29 runs for an outright victory, Gurukula notched up the required score for no loss.

The Best Batsman and the Man-of-the-Match award was carried away by Lisula Lakshan of Gurukula while Ravindu Thivanka was awarded the Best Bowler award for his 4 for 31 for Dharmaloka.

Dharmaloka: 115 (Tharindu Madushan 29, Malka Madushanka 20, Roshan Anuruddha 3/29, Nalin Perera 2/15, Hashan Dumindu 2/15) and 113 ( Tharindu Madushanka 22, Gayan Geethanjana 26, Sulaj Gayashan 30, Hashan Dumindu 3/20, Namal Pathum 3/27, Nipul Maduka 2/35).

Gurukula: 200 (Lisula Lakshan 84, Navin Perera 20, Hashan Dumindu 20, Gayan Geethanjana 2/46, Ravindu Thivanka 4/31, Janaka Pathum 2/30).