Antonians saved by skipper Uggalpaya

By Shamseer Jaleel 

Antonian skipper Kanishka Uggalpaya played the innings of his life by scoring a cracking 108 to avoid a Trinity win in their 99th Battle of the Blues encounter which concluded as a draw at the Pallekele International Cricket stadium yesterday.

Trinity, continuing from their overnight score, went for quick runs ending their innings on 251 for 7 in 50 overs. Middle order bat Hasitha Boyagoda (55 not out) and Thasila Dodanwela (32 not out) milked the Trinity innings through an unfinished seventh wicket stand of 62 runs scoring well over four runs per over.

The Antonians taking lease for the second time were in deep trouble losing their first wicket when the scoreboard was only eight, losing out on Sunera Jayasinghe. Skipper Uggalpaya and Lakjeewa Jayasinghe put on 54 for the second wicket. Only Alfer (15) and Kavindu Yapa Bandara (10) helped the Antonian score later on. It was a lone battle by Antonian skipper Kanishka Uggalpaya who held on to one end, frustrating the Trinity bowlers without throwing his wicket away. He stroked nine boundaries and stood between a Trinity win. In the end, Antonians made 184 for nine at stumps. The last Trinity win was under Niroshan Dickwella in 2012.

St. Anthony’s Katugastota 121 and 184 for 9 in 74 overs.

Kanishka Uggalpaya 108, Lakjeewa Wijebandara 23, Mohamed Alfer 15, Kavindu Yapa Bandara 10

Lahiru Kumara 2 for 15, Duvindu Thilakaratne 3 for 52

Trinity first innings 146 for 4 (overnight) 251 for 7 dec. 50 overs.

Dilan Jayalath 54, Hasitha Boyagoda 55 not out, Thasila Dodanwela 32 not out

Sandaruwan Dharmaratne 2 for 58, Kavindu Yapa Bandara 2 for 45, Virajitha Jayasinghe 2 for 68 

Man of the match - Kanishka Uggalpaya (St. Anthony’s)

Best fielder – Janidu Himsara (St. Anthony’s) 

Best batsman – Hasitha Boyagoda (Trinity)

Bet Bowler – Duvindu Thilakratne (Trinity)