Free for all or all for free
S. Thomas’ regained the Mustang Trophy after three years when they beat Royal by 113 runs by Duckworth/lewis method in their 37th annual limited overs encounter played at the SSC ground in Colombo yesterday.
Confusions were at its best when Royal who were chasing a moderate target of 239 runs in 50 overs, were suddenly given a revised and unconquerable target of 259 runs in 35 overs after play was called off for one hour and twenty minutes due to bad weather and lightening. When play was halted briefly Royal were well ahead on par the Duckworth/lewis method at 130-4 in the 29th over as they were two runs ahead of the target.
Fifteen minutes after the umpire’s decided to halt the game, the light conditions improved but the ground officials had a colossal task in clearing the spectators who had invaded the ground. It took nearly an hour for the Police and security personals to clear the ground. But the match could not proceed for another twenty minutes as both teams, match officials and scorers were not aware of the revised target Royal should chase. Later on it was officially announced by an official attached to Sri Lanka Cricket, who is authorized to calculate on revised targets, that Royal should get another staggering 129 runs in just six overs. Royal batsmen Milan Abeysekara and Poorna Aluthge decided to pad off the remaining overs to end at 145-4, leaving the Thomians with a massive win by 113 runs.
Earlier in the day Royal won the toss and invited the Thomians to take the first lease. With a fine knock of 101 off 132 balls by opener Devin Jayasinghe they reached 238 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs. Jayasinghe, a first year player in cricket and the regular full back of the Thomian 1st XV rugby outfit hit 11 boundaries and a six and reached his century facing 130 balls. He was well supported by skipper Sachin Peiris who hit a well deserved 53 off 68 balls. Both shared 107 runs for the third wicket. Earlier Jayasinghe put on 50 runs for the second wicket with Javed Bongso who made 15. Fast bowler Anupa Thillakaratne and Harith Samarasinghe took three wickets each while Anjana Kudahetti claimed two scalps.
For Royal opener Isuru Gunatillake top score with 41 and skipper Imal Liyanage clobbered 39 off 37 balls with six boundaries and a six. Gunatillake faced 58 deliveries and hit three boundaries during his knock. Heshan Kumarasiri who was batting well when Royal were on the lead gave away his wicket after hitting a well composed 26. Thomian opener Jayasinghe was adjudged the man-of-the-match. Royal leads the overall tally with 19 wins and with yesterday S. Thomas’ recorded their 17th victory.
Pandemonium reigned at the Royal-thomian 50 over game at the SSC Grounds yesterday with supporters of both sides indulging in fisticuffs.
It all started when the clouds threatened to open out when Royal were chasing the modest victory target of 239 runs. Officials decided to call off the game. Soon afterwards supporters of both teams entered the ground where a friendly atmosphere prevailed. All of a sudden a group of youngsters were seen engaged in an argument in the middle of the field while the players were in their respective dressing rooms due to the stoppage. In no time the situation turned into a mini battle where both parties were engaged in fisticuffs.
However senior students of both institutions were seen trying to bring about a settlement and the situation seemed to be under control.
Just before the game resumed after one hour and 20 minutes and the Royal batsmen were walking in. Suddenly two spectators rushed into the ground and tried to take possession of the wickets. However the Thomian fielders reacted swiftly to safeguard the stumps.
However the security personnel escorted both sets of spectators out of the grounds. No sooner they reached the stands a section crowd from the Grandstand started throwing empty plastic bottles at them.
Some spectators even rushed up the Grandstand and a fight erupted again. More spectators rushed up to the Grandstand. This resulted in the security chasing off everybody from the Grandstand.
Even during the awards ceremony a few squabbles were seen. Soon after the presentation the Thomian team was escorted from their dressing room by the Police to the main SSC entrance.
Minutes later another fight erupted at SSC entrance where seniors were also seen engaging themselves in the fracas. The fight became fierce and the Riot Police entered the scene. The fighting even spread to road afterwards before it simmered off with the intervention of the Police.
Match revelers then dispersed with torn and tattered clothes.
Finally there is a question that arose later in the day. Was there a miscalculation in the Duckworth Louis system and if it is so would there be a re-match? The man who was responsible for the mistake was not contactable in the evening.