Harsha’s knock in vain, Vavuniya gain thrilling win

A knock of 126 inclusive of ten boundaries and three sixes by Kilinochchi District skipper Harsha Cooray who also associated in a 167-run stand for the second wicket was in vain as it could not prevent Vavunya District from pulling off a thrilling four-run win in the Interdistrict limited over encounter played at the BRC ground yesterday.

Vavuniya District skipper Mahesh Priyadharshana winning the toss and electing to take first lease of the wicket saw openers Akila Lakshan and Tharindu Dilshan giving them a flying start putting on 85 runs.

Akila who made a top score of 79 added another valuable 55 runs for the third wicket with Samith Dushantha who made 70 which helped them end with a formidable score of 283 runs.

Kilinochchi District in their run chase lost their first wicket in the second ball of the first over before Harsha and Sangeeth helped them recover with a 167 runs partnership for the second wicket.

But the separation of the pair saw them losing wickets at regular intervals and the lower order batsmen failed to make any impression. In the last over bowled by left arm spinner Sasindu Perera, Kilinochchi on 276 for 8 needed seven runs. The first four balls saw them getting three singles before losing the two wickets which ended in them falling short by four runs.

Vavuniya District 283 for 9 in 50 overs (Akila Lakshan 79, Samith Dushantha 70, Tharindu Dilshan 37, Mahesh Priyadharshana 28, Asela Rangana 15: Suraj Randiv 2 for 35, Kasun Rajitha 2 for 54) Kilinochchi District 279 in 50 overs (Harsha Cooray 126, Sangeeth Cooray 65, Shehan Madusanka 31, Geeth Kumara 26: Manjula Jayawardena 3 for 42, Sasindu Perera 3 for 44, Mahesh Priyadharshana 2 for 43, Gayantha Wijetileke 2 for 59)