The 60th Battle of the Brothers cricket encounter between Isipathana College and Thurstan College ended in a tame draw at the SSC ground yesterday.
In reply to Thurstan’s first innings total of 186 Isipathana scored 211 all out. Batting a second time Thurstan scored 140 for two wickets when play was called off with bad light also entering.
With this result, Thurstan College retained the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy.
Isipathana College began the second day with a deficit of 84 runs and maintained a good run rate throughout the first session. Left hand batsman Tharushka Perera continued his good work as he stroked his way towards a spectacular knock of 72 runs, inclusive of six fours in 149 balls.
Also the other left hand batter for Isipathana, Nerodh Kalupahana kept going and scored a superb half century as well, 51 runs off 97 balls inclusive of four fours and two sixes. Both Tharushka and Yeshith put on a fabulous partnership of 107 runs for the third wicket before Yeshith got out on the second morning. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and Isipathana were all out for 211 runs.
Thurstan right arm off spinner Vihas Thewmika, considered as the most talented spinner stole the spotlight of the day with a haul of seven wickets, (7 for 67).
With a small deficit of 25 runs Thurstan got over it through their opening batsmen who put on 64 runs with Thanuga Palihawadana scoring 35 runs and Thanuga Rajapakse scoring 27 runs.
Skipper Shanikya Deshapriya remained unbeaten with a quick fire 53 off 42 balls with nine fours that enabled Thurstan to reach 140/2 when stumps were drawn.
Scores:
Thurstan College: 186 (Thanuga Rajapakse 56, Ushan Imesh 57, Viraj Devapriya 5/44) and 140 for 2 (Shanikya Deshapriya 53 n.o., Thanuga Palihawadana 35, Thanuga Rajapakshe 27)
Isipathana College: 211 (Tharushka Perera 72, Yeshith Kalupahana 51, Vihas Thewmika 7/67)
By – Sunday Observer