Sineth anchors Royal after Thomians shock openers

By Reemus Fernando

Skipper Sineth Jayawardane top scored with 92 runs and put on a crucial third wicket stand with Ovina Ambanpola as Royal posted 234 runs for seven wickets at stumps on day two of the 145th Battle of the Blues at the SSC ground on Friday.

In reply to Thomians 297 runs, Royal were in trouble two wickets down for one run after Akash Fernando and Ashen Perera struck in their opening spells in the morning. Jayawardane then steadied the innings putting on a stand of 126 runs either side of lunch before Ovina Ambanpola became one of the four victims of Ashen Perera.

Perera who shared the new ball  with Akash Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for S. Thomas’.He bowled the bulk of overs and picked up four wickets for 51 runs.

Jayawardane scored 13 fours in his knock and was out attempting to clear long off off the bowling of Darien Diago. He had the company of his deputy Ramiru Perera(23)  briefly.

After Jayawardane departed Dinura Senaratne and Nethwin Dharmarathna added 69 runs for the seventh wicket.When the match was stopped for bad light Dharmarathna was unbeaten on 29 runs.