By Srian Obeyesekere

Lahiru Madushanka n.o. 74, Charith Asalanka n.o. 54 as Greys down Blues

Coming to the party was the twosome of Lahiru Madushanka  and Charith Asalanka who struck unbeaten knocks of 74 and 54 respectively as the SLC Greys infused the throb to the Sri Lanka Cricket invitational T20 League Tournament in chalking up their third consecutive win by beating SLC Blues by 16 runs in the sixth match played at the Pallekelle International Stadium yesterday.  The Greys, batting first, scored 167 for 4 off 20 and reduced the Blues to 151 for 7.

Madushanka lit up the game in the fire power of 5 sixes and an equal number of boundaries as the fifth-wicket pair fashioned a compelling 122-run unfinished alliance off 72 balls having come together with the Greys on a wobbly 45 for 4 at the fall of skipper Dasun Shanaka’s wicket bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for 8.

Upfront, it was the young left-hander Asalanka who brought a welcome tinge of the form that thrust him from the unknown into the realms of the solid following the triumphant home T20 series against India. He thumped 2 sixes and boundaries apiece as the former Sri Lanka Youth captain further insulated his prowess as undisputedly the most telling new batting discovery. 

 The Blues lost their way following the wicket of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva for 16 as they precipitated to 5 for 96 after 4.3 overs when their mainstay Sadeera Samarawickrama was run out for 58 off 42 haing hit3 sixes and 4 boundaries. Nuwan Pradeep took 2 for 22 and Dasun Shanaka 2 for24.

CHIEF SCORES:

SLC Greys 167/4 (20 Overs) RR: 8.35

(Lahiru Madushanka n.o. 74, Charith Asalanka n.o. 54, Kamil Mishara 12)

SLC Blues 151/7 (20 Overs) RR: 7.55

(Sadeera Samarawickrama 58, Ashen Bandara 29, Dhananjaya de Silva 16, Dhananjaya Lakshan 12, Suranga Lakmal n.o. 13, Nuwan Pradeep 2/22, Dasun Shanaka 2/24)