Centurions came back strongly, after a defeat to Vikings (who remains unbeaten in Super-9) the previous weekend and defeated Yorkshire S.C. easily by 9 wickets last Saturday, in a match which was reduced to 35 overs due to a wet outfield.
Taking the first lease of the wicket, Yorkshire managed only 133 all out due to some tight bowling by Centurions ‘spin’ attack led by veteran and former Canadian national player, Balaji Rao who had 3 wickets to his credit and was ably supported by Dhanuka Pathirana & S. Sajid, both taking 2 wickets. For Yorkshire, Canadian national Navneet Dhaliwal fell in the second over, brilliantly caught behind by skipper Wijeyeratne off the bowling of Asghar Hotak, after cracking 2 boundaries in the previous over. Gill (30), Kanwar (33), Jaydeep (20) and Tiwana (24) registered runs on the board.
The victory target of 135 was achieved by Centurions in 24.3 overs with only one wicket to fall that of opening batsman Srimantha Wijeyeratne for a well complied 52 runs in 43 balls which included 4×5 and a solitary six. He was also involved in a solid 80 runs opening partnership with left hander Adittya Vardharajan who closed the innings with an unbeaten 52 runs and his partner, Kavin Bandara remaining on 27 not out. It was a morale boosting victory for Centurions as they will be going for a double header in the coming weekend of 25 & 26 August against JB Master’s XI on Saturday and again meeting Vikings C.C. on Sunday.
It will be two most exiting days of cricket at King City, provided the weather god stays in favour of cricket and also hoping the players will enjoy and play positive cricket in carrying on the motto of this game called the “Gentleman’s Game”.
Wish all teams the Very Best
Srinath Wijeyeratne