119th Lovers’ Quarrel

by Reemus Fernando  

Richmond reached 66 for three wickets at stumps after restricting their arch rivals Mahinda to a below par 169 runs on day one of the 119th Lovers’ Quarrel Big Match at the Galle International Stadium on Friday.

Opener Chehan Subasinghe scored an unbeaten 30 and Sihath Ramanayake was not out on three runs for Richmond after skipper Dinura Kalupahana and Tharusha Dilshan took early wickets.

Earlier, deciding to bowl first, Richmond pacemen Kaveesha Induwara and Sihath Ramanayake took two wickets each in the morning session to trouble Mahinda. Skipper Dinura Kalupahana dropped anchor waging a lone battle to repair the damage.

Richmond captain Malsha Tharupathi had to bring himself into the attack in a bid to douse any threats from his opposite number. He found result in his second over as he trapped Kalupahana lbw at the stroke of lunch (Mahinda 82/5) for 38 runs.

Chandupa de Silva made a valuable contribution making 41 runs in 88 balls before he was given lbw to Tharupathi.Kaveesha Induwara was the pick of the bowlers taking wickets, while Sihath Ramanayake, Sharon Abhishek and Malsha Tharupathi took two wickets each.