Kaluwitharana returns to domestic cricket with a bang

A sparkling 107 by Sri Lankan wicket keeper batsman, Romesh Kaluwitharana, enabled Colts Cricket Club to register a 17 run victory over CCC at Maitland Crescent today. It was their third successive win in the Premier League Limited Overs Tournament this year.

After being put in to bat, Colts CC Openers, Chaminda Mendis (72) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (107), put on a188 run partnership to compile up an imposing total of 265/9 in 50 overs.

Kaluwitharan returned to form after a disappointing performance in Sharjah with the bat. He batted in his normal aggressive manner and scored his runs from just 120 balls, hitting one six and nine fours over the thick outfield.

After the dismissal of Kaluwitharana, with the score on 188 runs in the 35th over, Colts lost their momentum losing three quick wickets: Sajith Fernando, Dulip Samaraweera and Eric Upashantha.

Jeewantha Kulatunga (38) and Duleep Samaraweera (20) then chipped in to give Colts a final score of 265 runs in 50 overs. Indika Gallage and Hemantha Boteju accounted for two wickets each.

In reply, CCC were required to chase the runs in just 48 overs because of a slow over rate. They lost Bradman Ediriweera early in their innings wth just two runs in the board. Wicket-keeper batsman Indika de Silva top scored with 61 from 55 balls. Michael Vandott (43), Hemantha Boteju (42*), Damitha Hunukumbura (34) and Roshan Mahanama (32) were all among the runs but failed to covert their good starts into the needed match winning innings. They were eventually dismissed for 248 runs in 47.3 overs. Sajith Fernando, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Dinuk Hettiarachchi captured two wickets apiece.