Vaas powers Colts to Premier League victory

Colts Cricket Club 374 (Vaas 134, Pushpakumara 69, Bandaratilleke 60) and 162 for 5 (Kalavitigoda 100*) drew with Burgher Recreation Club 178 (Mendis 73, Vaas 5-32)
Scorecard

Chaminda Vaas powered his club, Colts Cricket Club, to the Premier League title with a superb all-round performance over the weekend. Vaas set up a large first-innings total of 374 with his 134 and then snatched 5 for 32 with the ball as Burgher Recreation Club were bundled out for 178. The match petered out into a predictable draw with Colts finishing on 162 for 5 in their second innings. They lifted the trophy by virtue of their first-innings advantage.

BRC had started the final day with seven first-innings wickets remaining, but Nuwan Kulasekera, who won back his place in the national team after his fine performances in the tournament, struck early and paved the way for Vaas and Indika Gallage to cut through the middle order. BRC lost seven wickets for 53 runs and Colts's victory was in the bag by lunch.

This match marked the end of Romesh Kaluwitharana's cricket career. He left with a typically lively and entertaining cameo, hitting five fours in his 36, before falling and walking off to a standing ovation and a guard of honour from his teammates. Kaluwitharana will now concentrate on his job with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.

The tournament awards followed the conclusion of the match. Rashan Peiris, an exciting young wicketkeeper-batsman, was adjudged the man of the tournament, while Sajeewa Weerakoon, a left-arm spinner who grabbed 3 for 60 on the final day, was the best bowler and Russel Arnold was adjudged the tournament's best batsman.