The weather was perfect but luck favored Mahinda College who did well to hold the star studded Richmond team to a draw at their 112th big match which ended at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Richmond who was tipped to win the game proved their superiority in the second innings by posting 205 /1 at the end of the day. The only consolation for Richmond was that Dhanajaya Lakshan accomplished his big match ton and that they took a four run lead in the first innings.
The Mahindian’s continuing from their overnight score of
96/3 doggedly batted out 105.5 overs to reach 180. Night watchman Venura Dulsara scored a patient 57 runs off 259 balls with just four boundaries.
Sandun Mendis made the initial breakthrough for Richmond by capturing three wickets and Avindu Theekshana captured four wickets to get rid of the Mahinda tailenders.
Richmond proved their strength in batting when Kamindu Mendis and Dhanajaya Lakshan posted a 168 run partnership for the first wicket (a record for the series) before Mendis was unfortunately out on 92 off 90 balls with 8 fours. But Dhanajaya went on to score an unbeaten 101 off 100 balls with 10 boundaries.