All rounder Kamindu Mendis scored a blistering knock of unbeaten 45 in just 25 balls with five sixes while opener Bhanuka Manohara scored 45 in 36 balls as Team Samuels defeated Team Triggs to emerge champions at the Richmond Champions League cricket tournament played at Galle International cricket stadium.
At the final played on Wednesday Team Triggs led by Sri Lankan promising all rounder Charith Asalanka put in to bat managed to score 121 all out in 19.3 overs. Avindu Theekshna the leg spinner did most of the damage by taking 3 wickets giving away 17 runs in his 3.3 overs spell while Kalpa Netsara and Kamindu Mendis took two wickets each to strangle Team Triggs. Skipper Asalanka who was unfortunately run out for a duck at the first over was a major setback for defending champions Tem Triggs. Vishara Fernando (21), Ravishka Wijesiri (22) made useful contributions for Triggs.
For Team Samuels chasing a target of 122 runs, skipper Sithara Gimhan (10) and Bhanuka Manohara added 33 open stand while Manohara together with Kamindu Mendis added 68 runs for second wicket in a match winning partnership to seal their victory. Manohara scored 49 in 36 balls striking six fours and two sixes while Mendis was more aggressive hitting five sixes in 25 balls to score an unbeaten 45. Thaveesha Abhishek also made an unbeaten 21 in 7 balls hitting 3 fours and a six which paved the way to clinch victory with seven overs to spare. The same teams met at the inaugural tournament final played last February and Team Triggs won the final beating Team Samuels by 19 runs. Richmond College Old boys Association conducted this tournament for the second successive year while National cricketers Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya Lakshan took part in this tournament.
However Wanindu Hasaranga the champion leg spinner who was supposed to play for Team Harleys couldn’t play as he is still recovering from an injury suffered at the recently concluded LPL.
Chief scores of the final:
Team Triggs 121 (19.3) Ravishka Wijesiri 22, Vishara Fernando 21, Avindu Theekshana 3/17, Kamindu Mendis 2/20, Kalpa Nethsara 2/37 l
Team Samuels 127/2 wickets in 13 overs Sithara Gimhan 10, Bhanuka Manohara 49, Kamindu Mendis 45 n.o, Thaveeshaa Abhishek 21 n.o