A crunch game in T&D Super -9 tournament, Centurions beat the strong Vikings team by 6 wickets, first round game played at King City grounds last Saturday.
Centurions skipper Dhanuka Pathirana won the toss and invited Vikings to bat first. Two quick wickets fell, including a run-out in the very first over, but the pair Rajendra Chandrika (Ex. West Indies National Player) and Mark Montfort brought some respectability and stability to Vikings total before rains came down and halted play. Score stood at 126/3 in 31.4 Overs. Mark M. was the top scorer for Vikings with 67.
With D/L system coming to play, Vikings had to bat till the 37th over and ended at 194/7 with Centurions giving away 42 runs in the final two overs they bowled. After umpire’s calculation of the DL, Centurions were given a target of 231 to win in 37 overs.
Once again saw two quick wickets taken by Vikings, Gunasekera and Mehrab Hossain Jr. (Ex. Bangladeshi Test Player, now turning up for Centurions) back in the pavilion but with skipper Pathirana joining wicket-keeper opener Srimantha Wijeyeratne, put on a steady partnership adding 82 runs before Pathirana was sent back to the pavilion. Shehan Kamaleen joined the senior partner Wijeyeratne and saw the score board ticking with Srimantha Wijeyeratne completing a well compiled ‘Ton’ but unfortunately had to walk out injured when he was on 111, trying to take a quick run and diving to the bowlers end crease which resulted in dislocating his left shoulder. His century included 5 sixes and a dozen fours and took less than 100 balls. Kavin Bandara joined Kamaleen and started in taking Centurion’s to the target but Kamaleen was run out for a quick fire 42 (6×2, 4×5). At this stage Centurions were comfortably placed and the two brothers Kavin and Uvin Banadara saw them home with two overs to spare and record a convincing win by 6 wickets over much fancied and table leaders, Vikings C.C.
Centurions C.C. comprise many Sri Lankan born top cricketers, namely Ruvindu Gunasekera, Srimantha Wijeyeratne (both from St. Peter’s & Canada National Players) Brothers Kavin & Uvin Bandara (both from D.S. Senanayake College & C. C.C.) Well experienced Dhanuka Pathirana (Ex skipper St. Joseph’s & BRC/Colts) and Sheahan Kamaleen (Ex. Thurstan College Captain & Colts C.C.) currently play in the First XI for Centurions.
Centurions will be taking on JB Master’s XI (Return Match) at King City on Saturday, 20 July. First round game was won by JB Master’s at the same venue. So far Centurions have won 6 games and lost 3 games and are placed 3rd in the points table.
Srimantha will be out of action for approximately 3 weeks as per Doctor’s advice before he returns to the field early August. Wish him speedy recovery.
Srinath Wijeyeratne