Kandurata Warriors 168 for 5 (Samaraweera 71, Maharoof 3-36) beat Uthura Rudras 105 for 7 (Tanvir 4-32) by 32 runs (D/L method)
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Two vicious bursts from Sohail Tanvir and Thilan Samaraweera's
hitherto-unsuspected shot repertoire saw Kandurata Warriors comfortably
beat Uthura Rudras. The victory is the first for the Warriors in the Sri
Lanka Premier League, leaving the Rudras the only winless side after
three matches. In pursuit of 169, the Rudras' chances were dented by
Tanvir's first two overs, which yielded two wickets for nine. When John
Hastings claimed two of his own soon after, the Rudras' most dangerous
batsmen were already back in the dug-out, and they were faced with a
required rate of well above nine, from 34 for 4. Earlier in the evening
Samaraweera had blasted 71, to send the Warriors on their way to an
imposing total, hitting nine fours and a six in his 45-ball stay.
Tanvir was close to unplayable in his first two overs, as he swung the
ball prodigiously away from the right-hand batsmen, and got plenty to
jag back off the seam as well. Rob Quiney knew no more about the
indipper that sent him back second ball, than Mahela Udawatte knew about
the one that uprooted his off stump in Tanvir's next over. Brendan
Taylor and Chamara Kapugedara were quickly removed by Hastings, and when
Jehan Mubarak fell to Saeed Ajmal for 13, the Rudras had lost their top
five for 54. Dillon du Preez launched three boundaries to spark hope of
an unlikely recovery, but when the rains came down at 105 for 7 from 16
overs, the Rudras' fate was sealed.
Sanath Jayasuriya earlier took guard at the top of the innings for the
first time in the SLPL, but it was partner Samaraweera who was the
unlikely source of early momentum for the Warriors. Four boundaries in
seven balls began Samaraweera's assault and signaled he wasn't just
there to play second fiddle to Jayasuriya. Having made mere spectators
out of several opening partners during his international career,
Jayasuriya watched on this time, as the once obdurate Samaraweera
showcased a startling array of strokes, including two
over-the-shoulder-scoops off Naved-ul-Hasan. At Jayasuriya's demise at
50 for 1, he had only made five runs, and Samaraweera's 27-ball 50
proved the catalyst for a dominating Warriors performance.
Andrew Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's correspondent in Sri Lanka
Feeds: Andrew Fernando
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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