After half centuries by De Silva and Abeysekera:

Weather gods come to Thomians’ rescue

By Dinesh WEERAWANSA @ SSC grounds Colombo07

Milan Abeysekara celebrating his half century just before the rains came down.

Sampath de Silva acknowledging the cheers of the crowd on reaching his half century.

Half centuries by one drop batsman Sampath de Silva and vice captain Milan Abeysekera put Royal in a strong position before the weather gods came to S. Thomas' rescue on the second day of their 134th Battle of the Blues three-day cricket encounter which continued at SSC grounds, Colombo yesterday.

Royal, in reply to S. Thomas' first innings total of 192 all out, were strongly placed at 260 for 5 when second day's play too had a premature end due to heavy rain just before tea, stealing the entire final session's play. More than 80 minutes of play was lost on day one with rain becoming the decisive factor and save Thomians.

The Reid Avnue boys began day two at their overnight total of 11 for no loss and scored 135 runs in the pre lunch session for the loss of only two wickets.

S. Thomas' had early success last morning in the fourth over of the day when Royal opener Isuru Gunatillaka was trapped leg before by left-arm slow medium paceman Ishan Kularatne with the total on 38. His fellow opener Roanaka Ahanagamage, joined by one drop bat Sampath de Silva brought the total up to 64 before Royal lost their second wicket.

Ahangamage, who looked aggressive and negotiating Thomian bowlers intelligently, misjudged a delivery from Helakamal Nanayakkara to be caught by Thomian captain Javed Bongso at covers. Ahanagamage, during his 63-minute stay at the wicket, scored 40 off 41 balls including six boundaries.

At lunch, Royal were strongly placed at 135 for 2 after 36 overs with Sampath de Silva 43 not out and Hashen Ramanayake 38 not out. De Silva completed his well-deserved half century soon after the commencement of the post lunch session and his fifty came off 97 balls in 131 minutes.

Then came the most productive partnership of the match so far - 85 runs for the third wicket between De Silva and Ramanayake before the latter, son of former Sri Lanka Test paceman Chaampaka Ramanayake, was bowled by Kularatne for 43, made off 86 balls in 111 minutes with one six and three fours.

Sampath de Silva of Royal who scored 61, drives the ball from Thomian off spinner Thilaksha Sumanasiri, watched by Thomian wicket-keeper Sanesh de Mel.

The departure of Ramanayake enabled the Thomian bowlers to make a comeback, capturing three Royal wickets with the addition of 39 runs. It appeared as if Royal had lost its grip to a certain extent when they slumped from 149 for 2 to 188 for 5.

But Royal vice captain Abeysekera , who came in at the fall of the fourth wicket, kept the innings together even after they lost De Silva for a rock solid 61 made in 206 minutes off 121 balls with six fours.

When heavy showers shattered Royal's dream of a solid first innings lead and letting Thomians to bat in the second innings in the last half an hour, Royal were 260 for 5 with Abeysekera (50 not out in 58 balls with two sixers and five fours) and Poorna Aluthge (20 not out) at the wicket.

Royal scored its first 100 runs for the loss of two wickets in 144 balls in 113 minutes and their 200 runs came for the loss of five wickets in 323 balls and 239 minutes. The Reid Avenue boys now take a 68-run lead with five first innings wickets intact.