Mahinda College considered the weaker side at the 112th Lovers Quarrel performed beyond expectation to restrict Richmond College to a first innings score of 184 and were 96/3 at stumps. Lady luck favoured Mahinda College when skipper Ravindu Hansika Welihinda won the toss and very correctly elected to field first. The 112th Lovers Quarrel is being played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Skipper Kamindu Mendis and Dhanajaya Lakshan who opened the batting for Richmond gave the innings a solid start with a 55 run part nership for the first wicket before Kalindu Ediriweera made the cruicial break through. Mahinda used eight bowlers and did well to restrict the Richmond first innings to 184 runs a few minutes before tea. Richmond’s number five batsman Avindu Theekshan topped the score card with 38 runs scored off 43 balls with three hits to the ropes.
The highest partnership in the Richmond innings was between Avindu and Thaveesha Abhishek (37) who put on 67 runs for the fourth wicket before Avindu was ruled leg before to Kavidu Ediriweera in the last over before lunch with the score at 132/4. The only other batsman to pass the twenty run mark was Adithya Siriwardena who scored a patient 26 off 58 balls with a solitary boundary. Kalindu Edirisinghe, Nipun Malinga and Kavindu Ediriweera captured two wickets each.
The Mahinda batsmen batted out 46 overs to end the day at 96/3. Sandun Mendis captured two wickets while Ravishka Wijesiri captured one wicket. The night watchmen were wicket keeper Venura Dulsara unbeaten on 25 and Kaidu Ediriweera on 07. An exciting finish is on the cards when play resumes today
