Colombo Masters tired out The Forty Club from England by 4 wickets in a exciting contest of a Masters 40-overs Cricket encounter, played at the NCC ground, Maitland Crescent in Colombo, recently
The Forty Club batting first, lost an early wicket in the first over, three more dismissals at (41), (41) and (79), the visitors were reeling at 4 wickets down for 79 runs at one stage.
A fifth wicket partnership of 83 runs between D. Colwill (52 runs retired, 4×7 in 72 balls) and J. Barret (29 runs, 4×5 in 35 balls) directed the innings.
Also, useful assistances from S. Faulkner (36 runs, 4×3 in 40 balls), J. Keys (25 runs, 4×5 in 33 balls) and A. Hartridge (12) got them to a remarkable total.
Suwanji Madanayake demanding 2 wickets, Nalin Jayasuriya, Suranjith Dharmasena, Raj Prasad claiming a wicket each were the pick of the bowlers for Colombo Masters.
In response, Colombo Masters too lost an early wicket in the first over, the other opening batter, in form Shezzard Nizar along with one down batter Suranjith Dharmasena, the pair together added 85 runs for the 2nd wicket and with the dismissal of Suranjith Dharmasena (33 runs, 4×7 in 30 balls) and Shezzard Nizar (50 runs retired, 4×10 in 35 balls) at the score at 109 runs on board, Skipper Shafeek Raheem stroking a gallant (50 runs retired, 4×5- 6×1 in 42 balls) and a valuable contribution of (25 runs, 4×2 in 43 balls) from Ishara, took past the winning total in the 31st over.
Paul Smith and Martin Southwell claiming 2 wickets each and O. Sullivan claiming a wicket, shared the bowling honors for The Forty Club.
Scores:
The Forty Club: 185/7 in 40 overs
D. Colwill 52 retired, J. Barret 29, S. Faulkner 36, J. Keys 25, A. Hartridge 12, Suwanji Madanayake 2/22
Colombo Masters: 187/6 in 30.3 overs
Shezzard Nizar 50 retired, Shafeek Raheem 50 retired, Suranjith Dharmasena 33, Ishara 25; Paul Smith 2/43, Martin Southwell 2/33
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