In a relegation play-off match of a Sri Lankan 4 day tournament, Galle Cricket Club defeated Sri Lankan Air Force Sports Club by 4 runs even after being bowled out for just 31 runs in their first innings. It was a match in which as many as 8 players made their debut for Galle Cricket Club.
Put into bat, Galle Cricket Club were reduced to 27 for 5 due to some excellent new ball bowling by the Air Force Sports Club, after which the lower order crumbled big time resulting in Galle Cricket Club losing its last 5 wickets just for 4 runs. Galle were bundled out for 31 runs. Navindu Nirmal was the highest run scorer with 7 runs. Air Force’s Asiri Karunaratne, with figures of 5-21 was the pick of the bowlers for his side.
In their innings, Air Force were in a very tough situation being 84 for 6, but their all Rounder Ranga Dissanayake made sure that his side crossed the 200 run mark as Air Force were dismissed for 215. Galle though in their second innings batted extremely well, scoring 295 runs riding on the century made by 17 year old debutant Charith Asalanka who scored 114 of 123 balls which included 13 fours and four sixes.
A target of 112 didn’t seem enough but Galle’s bowling made it look huge. Air Force kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Galle’s Malith de Silva made sure that his side went on to create history as his bowling figures of 6/46 helped Galle to dismiss Air Force for just 107 that resulted in a 4 run win for them.
