Wayamba in inter-provincial final

Sajeewa JAYAKODY

Chamara Kapugedara’s lightning knock of 56 not out and Dilshan Munaweera’s explosive batting brightened the low scoring game as formidable Wayamba stormed into the final of the Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cricket Tournament thrashing Ruhuna by seven wickets with 181 balls remaining, at the P Sara Oval yesterday.

Kapugedeara, who scored a brisk half century (68 in 48 balls) in the previous match against Kandurata-Uva Combined at Moors grounds, hit half a dozen of sixes and a four in his unbeaten knock yesterday in just 34 deliveries.

The 25-year-old right hander continued his fine form putting on unbeaten 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket with one drop Farveez Maharoof, who cracked 34 runs.

Chasing a 162-run target, Wayamba openers Dilshan Munaweera and Niroshan Dickwella laid a solid 57-run stand for the first wicket in 42 balls. Right handed explosive opening batsman, Munaweera hammered 48 runs in 28 deliveries before he was out as the first wicket in the penultimate over before the lunch break after hitting nine fours and one six.

It was apparent that the 21-year-old former Nalandian has been unable to capitalize his brisk 30s and 40s into big knocks in the recent domestic matches.

Batting first, Ruhuna lost two wickets within three overs. Wayamba opening paceman Kosala Kulasekara’s early strike put Ruhuna backward as the right armer removed Diruwan Perera (first ball duck) and Ashan Priyanjan (5).

Opener Sehan Jayasuriya and Gayan Maneshan (20) had a 54-run partnership for the third wicket. Jayasuriya, who is the third leading run getter in the tournament with 202 runs with a good average of 40.40, smashed 69 runs.

Wayamba spinner Sohan Boralessa spearheaded the attack picking up three wickets for 27 runs in his seven overs.

Speedstar Nuwan Pradeep bowled well yesterday as finished his figures two for 18 with a maiden over in six overs. Farveez Maharoof, who has been avoiding bowling for three months due to a back injury, started bowling yesterday deliveing four overs conceding 16 runs.

Wayamba will face Thilina Kandamby led Kandurata-Uva Combined in the final which will be played at the NCC grounds tomorrow, starting at 10am.

Ruhuna: 161 in 39 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 69, Sachith Pathirana 36 n.o, Gayan Maneshan 20, Sohan Boralessa 3/27, Nuwan Pradeep 2/18, Kosala Kulasekara 2/28, Tharindu Kaushal 1/32).

Wayamba: 162/3 in 19.5 overs (Chamara Kapugedara 56 n.o, Dilshan Munaweera 48, Farveez Maharoof 33 n.o, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/51, Dilruwan Perera 1/28).