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Inter-provincial Twenty20 round-up

Schools Invitation XI cause major upset

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

April 21, 2008

Sri Lanka's inaugural inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament got off to a sensational start with Schools Invitation XI defeating the more fancied Basnahira South by 13 runs. Here's Cricinfo's wrap of the first two rounds of matches

Round 1

The Schools XI, after scoring 152 in their alloted overs, did well to restrict Basnahira South for 139 at the Burgher Recreation Club Ground in Colombo. The Schools' total was built around a solid knock of 55 by Tharindu Fernando, who put together an opening partnership of 75 with his captain, Dinesh Chandimal (29). Basnahira South were pushed onto the back foot by Chathura Peiris, who picked up two early wickets. The main damage though, was inflicted by seamer Vinod Perera, who snapped up three wickets including that of Basnahira's top scorer, Anushka Polonowita, who made 54 of 27 balls.

Wayamba got their campaign off to a winning start by chasing down 159 with five wickets to spare against Basnahira North at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. Damitha Hunukumbura lead the chase with a sparkling 87 off 54 balls that included 14 fours and a six.

Ruhuna overcame Kandurata by a seven-wicket margin on the basis on the Duckworth-Lewis method on the second match of the day the at the Colts Cricket Club Ground. Earlier, Kandurata, who chose to bat, rode on a 73-run sixth-wicket partnership between Jeewan Mendis (47) and Chinthaka Jayasinghe (46) to post 172 for 8. Sujeewa de Silva, Ruhuna's left-arm seamer, was the pick of the bowlers on their side with figures of 4 for 32.

Round 2

The Schools XI were brought down to earth when they suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Kandurata at the Moors Sports Club Ground in Colombo. Thilan Samaraweera, Kandurata's captain, showed the way by top scoring with 70 off just 38 balls to bring up victory with 4.1 overs to spare.

Sujeewa, after his success on the first day, was once again in the act, taking 3 for 9 to send Wayamba crashing to 69 all out, before Ruhuna claimed victory by an eight-wicket margin at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. Wayamba's effort was the lowest-ever score in the tournament.

In the subsequent day-night encounter at the same ground, Basnahira South, after putting up 134, suffered a six-wicket loss to Basnahira North.

Points table:

© Cricinfo