Mathushan heroics give Jaffna Central a thrilling win

An allround performance by Selvara Mathushan paved the way for Jaffna Central to record a thrilling one wicket win over traditional rivals St John’s Jaffna in their 112th Battle of the North encounter concluded at the Central ground in Jaffna yesterday.

Mathushan cracked a match winning 53 runs in 75 balls which comprised eight boundaries and took the responsibility on his shoulders in Centralites run chase of 109 runs as he came to the rescue when his side was reeling on 57 for 5 with his timely knock.

The third day’s proceedings saw St John’s resuming their second innings from their bad position of 8 for 4 and needing to erase a further 103 runs deficit making a great recovery which was spearheaded by skipper Vasanthan Jathushan who made a half ton.

Later buoyed by the skippers knock the middle and late order batsmen Devadas Sheropan, Theivendram Dinoshan and Kanagaratnam Kapilraj also made a half ton for the Johnians to make a recovery from five down for 31 to a respectable score of 219 runs.

Despite Johnian allrounder Kapilraj making crucial breakthrough’s his effort was in vain as it could prevent from the Centralites securing a thrilling win to regain the Old Boys Trophy and the Centralites are record a win in the series after a lapse of seven years with the last being in the year 2011.