Oshan scores 56 as Cambrians salvage a draw

Prince of Wales went in confidently and staged an impressive fightback to earn an honourable draw in their 75th Battle of the Golds yesterday at the De Soysa Stadium. The day belonged to Oshan de Silva, who struck a fluent 56 off 104 balls (4 fours), and Deneth Sithumina, who was LBW just one run shy of a half-century (115 balls, 3 fours). With only two wickets down, the pair put on a fighting 81-run partnership in 28 overs (168 balls).

The highlight of the Cambrians’ fightback was their commitment to erase the deficit and take a lead of 110 runs. They were cruising at 157 after 62 overs when the match was called off. Malintha Silva and Ryan Dissanayake were the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each.

Earlier in the day, Shefan Fernando and Malintha Silva resumed St. Sebastian’s innings on 129/7, tasked with steering themselves out of trouble. The pair put together a match-saving eighth-wicket partnership of 42 runs off 62 balls. Malintha Silva, who scored a run-a-ball 27, was caught behind off Nethul Anuhas in the 53rd over.

However, Shefan on 23, continued to fight and salvaged a lead by adding 47 runs. Shenas Hashein (26) joined him and helped push the score past 200. Nethul claimed his second wicket when shefan attempted a late cut and was dismissed in similar fashion to the previous wicket.

Hashein’s resistance was also cut short when he pulled one straight to Gawesha Fernando at deep midwicket off Rusandu Silva, who showcased his form for the Cambrians, finishing with a three-wicket spell. St. Sebastian’s concluded their first innings at 208 in 69.4 overs by lunch. Nethul captured 3 for 53 runs.

Oshan de Silva was adjudged Best Fielder, while his teammate Rusandu Silva won the Best Bowler award.

Sebastianite Lashen Fernando, who counterattacked with a crucial 50 off 63 balls (5 fours, 1 six), was awarded Best Batsman, along with teammate Ryan Dissanayake, who took 6 wickets and scored 33 runs being adjudged Man of the Match.

Chief scores

Prince of Wales first innings – 161 (68.4 overs), Rivith Jayasuriya 50, Gawesha Fernando 38, Suwahas Fernando 20 (Ryan Dissanayake 33/4, Shenas Hashein 35/3, Adesh Almeida 41/2) and second innings – 157/6 (62 overs) Oshan de Silva 56, Deneth Sithumina 49, Palingu Perera 21 (Malintha Silva 42/2, Ryan Dissanayake 47/2),

S. Sebastian first innings – 208 (69.4 overs) Lashen Fernando 50, Ryan Dissanayake 33, Malintha Silva 27, Shenas Hashein 26, Shefan Fernando 23 (Rusandu Silva 30/3, Netul Anuhas 53/3, Rivith Jayasuriya 54/2)

 Source:Daily News