Finch and Rupasinghe hammer Uthura bowlers

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

It was a rainy affair once again at the R.Premadasa stadium as the sixth game between the Ruhuna Royals and the Uthura Rudras halted for heavy showers after just 14.3 overs when Royals were on 127 for the loss of one wicket.When rain stopped play Aaron Finch was unbeaten on 56 while Chamara Silva was on 12.

The Rudras who won the toss surprisingly wanted to field first on a placid track and were in the back foot from ball one as the Royals were off to a rollicking start.

The openers for Royals, the attacking Aaron Finch and Gihan Rupasinghe were on fire from ball one.

Finch was spectacular in the first over itself smacking a four and a six of Kyle Mills.

Gihan Rupasinghe who was promoted to open the innings made his intentions clear after a quiet first few deliveries, blasting Kevin Cooper over mid wicket for a huge six.Finch and Rupasinghe went on firing all cylinders and Rudras missed a simple chance of breaking the partnership when Farveez Maharoof dropped a sitter of a catch of Rupasinghe when he was on 27. Rupasinghe’s glory moment came when he hoisted spin magician straight down the ground for a magnificent six.

He reached a quick fire half century of just 34 balls before gifted his wicket to a almost a bounce like ball from Jehan Mubarak.Rupasinghe hit five 4s and 2 sixes in his power packed innings. Finch there after reached his half century of just 38 balls with four 4s and two 6s.

Ruhuna Royals - 127 for 1 of 14.3 overs (A.Finch 56 n.o., G.Rupasinghe 50, J.Mubarak 1 for 6)