MATCH 2 v BHARATHA CRICKET ACADEMY KARUNAGELLA
Another early departure from the Cinamon Lodge Hotel to Karunugella a large provincial town in the Hill Country of The Cultural Triangle. The cricket oval was built in 1950 and regularly hosts touring international sides and schoolboy teams from around the world. Two days before our arrival South Africa U19s had played a provincial representative XI.
To commence proceedings we had an official opening ceremony in which we were invited to sing the National Anthem while the School Flag was hoisted (the Boys did manage the first chorus!) this was followed by an official photograph and welcome from the President of the Academy. Our opponents won the toss and decided to bat, a decision we were pleased about having seen the amount of grass on the wicket. James Wainman took the new ball along with James Parsloe and both began with a good amount of pace and movement in the air and off the pitch. JP made the breakthrough in his first over forcing the opening bat to fend a short ball to Tom Pettican. James Wainman followed with a sharp cutter to remove the other opening batsman for 5 leaving the opposition at 7 for 2 off 3 overs. JP struggled to get a good line because of left and righthand batsmen and as a result gave a lot of wides away as the ball swung in the humid air.
As the game progressed it was clear that Extras were going to make a significant contribution to the overall total. Rob Nicholson was first change and quickly got into a good groove pitching the ball up to the batsman and forcing them to make mistakes. Despite a ragged start to his second spell he finished with 1 – 23 off 8 overs. Jordan. Hall replaced JP and he too bowled a steady pace and line and finished with 1 – 21 off 5 overs. The star performer, however, was Alex Woodward who bowled a very disciplined line and length and with Fred Kamstra standing up behind the stumps kept the batsmen in check. Alex finished with 2 – 20 off 8 overs a very fine performance on his debut. Jonty Dixon bowled a steady 4 overs and despite struggling with the humid conditions made a good contribution to checking the home side’s batters. James Wainman and James Parsloe came back to close out our opponents innings – James Wainman finished with 4 – 17 off 7 overs and James Parsloe 2 – 23 off 6 Baratha U16 Academy 120 all out off 38 overs – Extras top scorer 41!!!!!
Chris Harrison and Josh Habergham opened the batting and both soon found the pace of the wicket and set about making shots. The weather conditions were clearly changing and it was only a matter of time before the rain would arrive. Chris Harrison began playing with his usual flamboyance scored freely reaching 24 before the heavens opened. Josh had also scored well reaching 15 before the game was brought to an abrupt conclusion by a large flash of lightning and thunder clap. The deluge which followed sealed the fate of the game leaving GSAL on 42 without loss off 6.2 deliveries JG claimed the victory on his Duckworth Lewis calculation.
After our farewells the Tour Party moved on to Kandy to stay at the Chaya Citadel for the next three nights and enjoy the sights of the city before playing Kingswood Cricket Academy on the new international ground Pallakalle Stadium.
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