Kandamby steers Kandurata-Uva to final

Sajeewa JAYAKODY

Ever steady Thilina Kandamby impressed new selectors with his heroic match winning century when Kandurata-Uva Combined defeated Uthuru-Negenahira Combined by four wickets in the Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cricket Tournament first semi-final played at the SSC grounds yesterday.

The 31-year-old left hander’s unbeaten 113 runs in just 87 deliveries, anchored the Kandurata-Uva Combined innings as they booked their place in the final, which will be played on Januray 30 (Wednesday). Kandamby’s well-set knock was studded with 14 fours and a six.

It was appareant that the experienced batsman’s chanceless innings saw great temparament and he rotated the strike to keep score board ticking after he came to crease after team had lost three wickets for 124.

Chasing a target of 311, Kandurata-Uva Combined lost their star batsman, Dimuth Karunaratne for four. One drop Bhanuka Rajapaksa laid a solid partnership with wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva when the pair added 73 runs for the second wicket.

Left handed Rajapakse scored 63 runs in 54 balls with seven fours and three sixes. After that, veteran Thilian Samaraweera put up a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket with Kandamby before Samaraweera was given lbw for 39 off Madura Lakmal. At the end, Kandamby was ably supported by tail-ender Charith Jayampathi, who scored 23-ball 24 runs and put up a match winning unbeaten 73-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

It was a batting paradise at the SSC yesterday, after Uthuru-Negenahira sent into bat, scored 310 runs for four wickets. Leading scorer in the tournament, Ian Daniel struck 81 with nine fours and three sixes. Right handed Daniel so far has scored 248 runs with a fine average of 62.00. Daniel put on a solid 102-run opening stand with Pabasara Waduge before Waduge got out for 42.

Sahan Wijeratne showed his brilliance scoring run-a-ball 90. The former Prince of Wales batsman smashed 10 fours and two sixes. Wijeratne had a 51-run parternship for the fourth wicket with wicket-keeper batsman Sameera de Zoysa.

The elegant right-hander put on a 107-run unbeaten stand for the fifth wicket with Shalika Karunanayake, who cracked sparkling 55 in just 30 balls at the end. All-rounder Karunanayake hit three sixes and three fours.

Kandura-Uva Combined spinner, Dulanjana Mendis, the leading bowler in the tournament so far with 11 wickets, was impressed as he finished his figures conceding just 32 runs for two wickets in his 10 overs.

The second semi-final will take place today (Monday) between Wayamba and Ruhuna at the P Sara Stadium from 10 am.

Chief scores - Uthura-Neganahira Combined innings 310/4 (50 ovwrs): P Waduge-42, GI Daniel-81,MSR Wijeratne-90n.o., KPSP Karunanayake 55 n.o., BMDK Mendis 2/32, SHT Kandamby 1/40

Kandurata-Uva Combined innings 312/6 : PBB Rajapaksa -63, SHT Kandamby 113n.o., K Weeraratne 1/46, AML Perera 1/66, MSR Wijeratne 1/43, HMCM Bandara 1-52