Royal Masters clinch Ganeshan Trophy
A grand third wicket partnership of 136 runs in 75 balls between Chintaka Edirimanne and Naveen Samarakoon steered Royal Masters to an eight wicket win against Thomian Masters in their 4th annual 30 overs Cricket encounter, for the Sasi Ganeshan Trophy played at the Colombo Colts Cricket ground, Park Road, Colombo 05 on Sunday.
Thomian Masters taking first lease, their first wicket falling for no score, a second wicket partnership of 41 runs between Vajira Wijegunawardena and Anura Bulankulama steadied the innings and a fourth wicket partnership between NIC Silva and Ramesh Wannakuwatte kept the score board ticking to pass the 100 plus mark.. Vajira Wijegunawardena stroking a gallant 48 runs and NIC Silva playing a brilliant innings with a knock of 79 runs and useful contibutions from Skipper Johann Peiris, Ramesh Wannakuwatte and Suresh Bulankulama got them to a reasonable score. The bowling honours were shared by Chintaka Edirimanne, Sajith Liyanage, Shezard Nizar and Skipper Nalliah Devarajan claiming two wickets each.
Royal Masters openers Shezard Nizar and Nuwan Perera, got them to a fine start with a 47 run partnership and with the fall of Nuwan Perera, Chintaka Edirimanne joining Shezard Nizar the pair added 31 runs for the second wicket and with the dismissal of Shezard Nizar stroking a solid 32 runs and Naveen Samarakoon joining Chintaka Edirimanne, the pair playing a magnificent innings with Naveen Samarakoon stroking a marvellous 58 not out and Chintaka Edirimanne playing a star studded innings with a classic knock of 88 not out gave Royal Masters this win from a six in the last ball of the 21st over.
Scores
Thomian Masters – 208 all out in 29.4 overs (Vajira Wijegunawardena 48, NIC Silva 79, Johann Peiris 15, Ramesh Wannakuwatte 10, Suresh Bulankulama 14, Chintaka Edirimanne 2/32, Sajith Liyanage 2/32, Shezard Nizar 2/22, Nalliah Devarajan 2/15)
Royal Masters – 214 /2 in 21 overs
(Shezard Nizar 32, Nuwan Perera 18, Chintaka Edirimanne 88 not out, Naveen Samarakoon 58 not out)