Sri Lankans enjoy trip to Dhekelia

Sri Lankans are the first team to win in group B of the 80-over league, having comfortably beaten PWRR by 7 wickets at Dhekelia on 11 Sept.

PWRR won the toss and chose to bat, but were soon in trouble against Sri Lankans’ skipper Mangala, who bowled aggressively to take the first 4 wickets on his way to figures of 5 for 28.

The only resistance came in a fine innings of 34 by Andy Hornbuckle, which was ended only by a run-out when he attempted one sharp single too many. He received good support from Garroway (10), but no other batsman reached double figures.

The lower order was decimated by a remarkable spell by Suresh, who took 3 for 6, in addition to the run-out, in just 2 overs.

PWRR were all out for 85 in less than 20 overs, with 6 of their batsmen clean bowled.

After the loss of an early wicket to Hornbuckle, who bowled a challenging spell, Sri Lankans made the game safe with a partnership of 43 by Susante (36) and Akash (10). Both were dismissed by Garroway’s full-length pace bowling, but Nalin held firm at one end, and Mangala hit his first ball for a huge 6 to win the game in the 15^th over.

Sri Lankans took 18 points from a match played in a good spirit, while PWRR gained 1 point.